India vs Pakistan Likely to Clash Three Times in Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 schedule has been officially announced, setting the stage for a potential high-voltage showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in September. The two teams could face each other up to three times, including a possible final, making the tournament one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year.
However, the buzz around the Asia Cup has coincided with a controversial episode involving the India Champions’ withdrawal from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. Big names like Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina received widespread support from fans for pulling out of the tournament, reportedly due to their unwillingness to play against Pakistan.
Atul Wassan Criticizes Last-Minute Pullout
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan voiced strong opinions regarding the controversy during an appearance on NDTV’s Tea Toast and Sports Podcast. He emphasized the importance of communication and professionalism, saying:
“Indian cricketers cannot turn up and say no. If they do not want to play, they have to tell BCCI before. It is a necessary evil. My suggestion is do not try to be more loyal than the king.”
Wassan also commented on the WCL withdrawal, suggesting that the players should have made their stance clear before committing.
“If they had said earlier that India will not play Pakistan, it would have been fine. But you came here, signed the contract, took the money. This is a huge project, not a Mickey Mouse gig. South Africa, Australia are here. It is somewhat egg on the face of the organisers.”
He further criticized what he called “jingoistic patriotism”, noting that while patriotism is important, decisions at the international level should be driven by maturity and foresight rather than social media validation.
As a result of India’s sudden exit, Pakistan received a walkover in the WCL and has advanced to the final, where they are scheduled to play against South Africa Champions on August 2 (Saturday).
While the debate around India’s stance continues, all eyes are now on the Asia Cup 2025, where cricket fans may still get to witness the much-anticipated India-Pakistan face-off — possibly more than once.
