Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has ignited controversy by branding Pakistan a “seventh-division team” ahead of their Men’s T20 Asia Cup Super 4s rematch against India on September 21, 2025, at Dubai International Stadium. Speaking on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka, as quoted by Sportskeeda, Srikkanth dismissed Pakistan’s ability to challenge India following their seven-wicket loss in the Group A match on September 14, where India chased 128 in 15.5 overs. He claimed the India-Pakistan rivalry “has become history” and suggested Pakistan should play among Associate nations rather than in elite tournaments like the Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s Group A campaign faltered, with a batting collapse against India and a narrow defense of 146 against the United Arab Emirates to reach the Super 4s. The earlier loss was marred by a post-match handshake snub, criticized as “unsportsmanlike” by India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, escalating tensions. Srikkanth predicted the rematch will lack crowd appeal, stating, “This Pakistan team will give us no scare,” and likened them to a low-tier Chennai league side unfit for the tournament’s prestige.
Srikkanth also criticized Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson, appointed in May 2025 after coaching New Zealand and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “You’ll go nowhere with Mike Hesson as your coach,” he said, mocking Hesson’s claims of Pakistan’s potential despite their struggles. Pakistan, supported by motivational speaker Dr. Raheel Karim to address mental “jitters,” seeks to overturn their record of 11 losses in 14 T20Is against India.
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The 2025 T20 Asia Cup is hosted by the United Arab Emirates, with matches played at neutral venues like Dubai due to regional tensions, as confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council. India, unbeaten under coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, aims for a top-two finish, while Pakistan fights for semifinal hopes. With 50,000 fans expected, the clash remains charged despite Srikkanth’s remarks.
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