Former India National Cricket Team batsman Suresh Raina has claimed that Suryakumar Yadav & Co. were forced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play the match against the Pakistan National Cricket Team.
The biggest match of the Asia Cup 2025 was played on Sunday, September 14, between Suryakumar Yadav-led India and Salman Agha-led Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium.
Asia Cup 2025: India dominate and annihilate ‘poor’ Pakistan
There wasn’t much hype for the India vs Pakistan clash this time around due to political tensions between the two nations, and a lot of seats at the stadium were also empty.
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The hype further went downhill as India showcased sheer dominance and proved that the inferior and poor Pakistan team was no match for them.
It turned out to be a one-sided affair with India registering a seven-wicket victory, and they showed Pakistan their place in world cricket.
The match was also filled with controversies as Suryakumar Yadav denied shaking hands with Salman Agha at the toss, and after hitting the winning runs, he walked off without greeting the opposition players.
Indian players didn’t even line up for the customary post-match handshakes, and Pakistan players kept waiting outside the dressing room, totally clueless.
Asia Cup 2025: In a way, they are forced because the BCCI has agreed to it – Suresh Raina
With the handshake snub and Suryakumar Yadav’s Pahalgam statement, India cleared their position and showed where they stands in terms of relations with Pakistan.
Speaking on Sports Tak, former cricketer Suresh Raina revealed that no Indian player was willing to play the Asia Cup 2025, but were forced to do so because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to participate
“I know one thing for sure. If you personally ask the players, none of them wants to play the Asia Cup. In a way, they are forced because the BCCI has agreed to it,” Suresh Raina said.
I am sad that India are playing against Pakistan, but I can also say for a fact that if Suryakumar Yadav and his players are asked about their personal opinions about playing against Pakistan, they would have said no. None of them wanted to play,” Suresh Raina said.
Asia Cup 2025: India were so far ahead in the game by the time he got out – Ex-cricketer on Abhishek Sharma
Opening batsman Abhishek Sharma annihilated Pakistan with his quickfire knock of 31 runs and the former cricketer Aakash Chopra was mighty impressed with it. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo’s YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said:
“Abhishek Sharma – Outstanding (impact) actually, because he just allows everyone else to be just take your time. You can just stroll; you will still have enough time. That’s what he did. That onslaught in the beginning did two things: one, it took away Shaheen Shah Afridi’s threat… He decided to take him down by ball one itself. So, that was the statement of intent. After that, India were so far ahead in the game by the time he got out.”
Also Read: Watch: Mohammad Nawaz abuses Suryakumar Yadav for his own fault
