The excitement for the Asia Cup 2025 officially began as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as PCB chairman, unveiled the glittering trophy at a grand ceremony in Dubai on Tuesday. Captains of all eight participating teams, including Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha and India’s Suryakumar Yadav, posed for the traditional photographs, signaling the start of one of the most anticipated tournaments in Asian cricket.
Trophy Ceremony Brings Together Asian Cricket Leaders
The event brought together leaders and captains from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong. Following the unveiling, the eight captains shared their thoughts during a joint media session, emphasizing the significance of the tournament. The Asia Cup, scheduled in the T20 format, will not only decide the continental champion but also help teams fine-tune preparations ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Salman Ali Agha: “Nobody Is Favourite”
Speaking to reporters, Salman Ali Agha played down the idea of clear favorites in the T20 format. He highlighted Pakistan’s recent form, especially their tri-series win in the UAE, and expressed confidence in his team’s readiness. On the question of facing India, he said Pakistan’s strength lies in their aggressive bowling unit, adding that the team will focus on executing their plans without targeting specific opponents.
Suryakumar Yadav Confident Despite Layoff
India captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged that his side had not played together in T20Is since June but insisted the squad was prepared after training sessions in the UAE. He described the challenge of adapting quickly as crucial and emphasized that facing Asia’s top teams would demand consistency. In a lighter moment, he laughed off questions about his hairstyle, further energizing the media session.
Asia Cup 2025 Set to Begin
The Asia Cup 2025 officially kicks off tonight with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the opening match. With the trophy unveiled and captains unified in their commitment to deliver, fans across Asia are bracing for thrilling encounters, with the much-anticipated Pakistan vs India clash scheduled for September 14.
