Shaheen hits back at Suryakumar’s no rivalry claim

• Pakistan beat Sri Lanka, keeping Asia Cup final hopes alive.
• Shaheen Afridi downplays Suryakumar's 'no rivalry' comment.
• India needs one more win to secure a spot in the Asia Cup final.

New Delhi: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah responded to Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s ‘no-rivalry’ comments after his side’s victory over Sri Lanka in

their second Super 4 clash in the Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to remain alive in the race for the final.

Speaking after the match, Shaheen was asked about Suryakumar’s comments about there being no rivalry between India and Pakistan anymore. The Pakistan pacer downplayed the Indian skipper’s comments, stating that the real verdict will be out when the two teams meet in the final of the tournament.

“Let him say what he wants. He has his own point of view. Right now, neither they nor we have reached the final. If we get there, we’ll see. We’ve come here to play and win the Asia Cup, and that’s what we will focus on,” Afridi said about Suryakumar’s comments.

Highlighting India’s dominance against Pakistan over the years in white-ball cricket, Suryakumar had said that there is no rivalry left between the two countries. His comments came after India thrashed Pakistan by six wickets in their Super 4 opener in Dubai to bag their second win in a row against the Men in Green. With the win, India extended their head-to-head record to 12-3 against Pakistan in T20Is.

India one win away from securing spot in Asia Cup 2025 final

After beating Pakistan for the second time in the tournament in the Super 4 opener, India are only one win away from clinching a spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2025. The Men in Blue are unbeaten in the tournament so far, having won four matches in a row and will be hoping to make it five wins in a row when they take on Bangladesh in their second Super 4 match on Wednesday, September 24.

A win against Bangladesh on Wednesday will see India become the first team to qualify for the final in the Asia Cup 2025. India and Pakistan could potentially meet for a third time in the final if India win one of their remaining two matches against Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, and Pakistan beat Bangladesh in their final Super 4 match. Sri Lanka are already out of the tournament.