Follow UsFormer India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has taken a swipe at Pakistan ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 clash against India, calling them a “below-average side” and downplaying the threat of their star pacer Shaheen Afridi. The two teams meet in Dubai on September 14 (Sunday).
India began their campaign in dominant fashion, hammering the UAE by nine wickets and chasing down a 58-run target with 93 balls to spare. Pakistan, meanwhile, opened with a 93-run win over Oman - a result Srikkanth dismissed as irrelevant.
“Pakistan is a below-average side with bat and ball. Even Shaheen Afridi isn’t anything deadly. Yes, they beat an Oman side full of players above 34-35. That team is full of uncles,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“So beating them (Oman) shows nothing. At my age, even I can captain Oman now. Even their bowling looked good against the Oman uncles. But we have to see how it is against Indian youngsters.”
Pakistan have enjoyed good form in T20Is leading into the tournament, defeating West Indies before winning a tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE. India, however, have been far more dominant, claiming 25 wins in their last 28 T20Is, including the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Srikkanth also had strong words for Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, questioning his credentials. “He keeps making bold statements. Whatever team he has coached has never done well. He coached RCB and they won nothing at that time. How are Pakistan going to do well under his coaching?
“He (Hesson) would have just asked them to throw their bats at the ball with courage. Yesterday, the way Saim Ayub got out, I knew it was Mike Hesson’s influence. Mike Hesson must have batted like that only.”