🏏 Muhammad Waseem Confident UAE Can Upset Pakistan or India in Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 is heating up, and all eyes are on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as their captain Muhammad Waseem has boldly claimed that his side can “inflict an upset” on cricketing giants Pakistan or India. With the tournament kicking off on September 9, 2025, cricket fans worldwide are buzzing with anticipation, and UAE’s confidence has added extra spice to the competition.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- 🗣️ Muhammad Waseem’s bold statement
- 📌 UAE’s Asia Cup 2025 group and fixtures
- 🔥 How UAE plans to challenge Pakistan and India
- 📊 Predicted playing XIs and team strengths
- 🌟 Key players to watch out for
- 📺 Where to watch Asia Cup 2025 live
- 🏆 Can UAE actually create history?
🌍 Asia Cup 2025 Overview
The ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 promises thrilling contests, nail-biting finishes, and high-voltage rivalries. Hosted in Dubai, the tournament runs from September 9 to September 28, featuring six teams battling for the continental crown.
Participating Teams:
🇮🇳 India | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 🇦🇪 UAE | 🇴🇲 Oman | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
The tournament follows a group-stage + Super Four format. UAE finds itself in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and Oman — undoubtedly the “group of death.”
🗣️ Muhammad Waseem’s Bold Statement
At the captains’ press conference, Muhammad Waseem confidently asserted that UAE is targeting an upset over one of the Asian giants:
“We can absolutely inflict an upset on one of India or Pakistan. We could beat Oman and we’ll target one of these two and eye a run to the Super Four.”
This statement has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. While UAE may not have the same experience as India or Pakistan, their recent exposure to international T20 cricket has boosted their confidence.
📅 UAE’s Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | 🇦🇪 UAE vs 🇮🇳 India | Dubai International Stadium | 7:30 PM IST |
| Sep 15 | 🇦🇪 UAE vs 🇴🇲 Oman | Dubai International Stadium | 3:30 PM IST |
| Sep 17 | 🇦🇪 UAE vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Dubai International Stadium | 7:30 PM IST |
UAE’s campaign starts against India on September 10, followed by a crucial clash with Oman and a high-voltage face-off against Pakistan.
🇦🇪 UAE’s Strategy to Upset the Giants
For UAE, upsetting Pakistan or India won’t be easy. However, Muhammad Waseem has a clear plan:
⚡ 1. Attack in the Powerplay
With shorter boundaries at Dubai, UAE’s openers — Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu — will look to maximize the powerplay overs.
🎯 2. Spin Trap on Slow Pitches
Dubai’s dry conditions favor spinners, and UAE’s young spinners like Rohid Khan and Saghir Khan will aim to choke runs in the middle overs.
🏏 3. Backing Aggressive Batting
Waseem’s leadership style encourages fearless cricket. Expect Asif Khan and Ethan D’Souza to take on India and Pakistan’s pace attacks head-on.
🏏 India vs UAE: Can UAE Challenge the Giants? 🇮🇳 vs 🇦🇪
India enters the tournament as favorites, boasting a power-packed batting lineup and world-class bowlers. But UAE has nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous.
🔹 India’s Predicted Playing XI
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Axar Patel
- Jitesh Sharma (WK)
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
🔹 UAE’s Predicted Playing XI
- Muhammad Waseem (C)
- Alishan Sharafu
- Asif Khan
- Ethan D’Souza
- Aryansh Sharma (WK)
- Dhruv Parashar
- Rohid Khan
- Junaid Siddique
- Muhammad Jawadullah
- Matiullah Khan
- Simranjeet Singh
🇵🇰 Pakistan vs UAE: Clash of Contrasts 🇦🇪 vs 🇵🇰
Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, is known for its fearsome pace attack and explosive top order. UAE will need to bring their A-game to avoid a batting collapse.
🔹 Pakistan’s Key Players
- Shaheen Afridi – deadly with the new ball
- Haris Rauf – specialist in death overs
- Fakhar Zaman – capable of match-winning knocks
- Abrar Ahmed – spin wizard for slow Dubai tracks
🌟 Key Players to Watch in Asia Cup 2025
| Player | Team | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Waseem | 🇦🇪 UAE | Opener, Captain | Aggressive power-hitter |
| Shaheen Afridi | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Fast Bowler | New-ball specialist |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 🇮🇳 India | Middle-Order Bat | Innovative stroke maker |
| Asif Khan | 🇦🇪 UAE | Middle-Order Bat | Big hitter in middle overs |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 🇮🇳 India | Spinner | Dubai tracks will suit him |
📺 Where to Watch Asia Cup 2025 Live
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports, PTV Sports, Ten Sports
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, Daraz, Tamasha
- Match Start Times: 7:30 PM IST | 7:00 PM PST
🔥 Key Takeaways
- Asia Cup 2025 live streaming
- UAE vs India Asia Cup 2025
- Pakistan vs UAE Asia Cup 2025
- Muhammad Waseem UAE cricket
- Asia Cup Dubai 2025 schedule
- UAE possible upset against India or Pakistan
- Asia Cup 2025 Super Four race
🏆 Final Thoughts
The Asia Cup 2025 is set to deliver thrills, drama, and surprises. Muhammad Waseem’s bold statement has brought UAE into the spotlight, and if they manage to upset either India or Pakistan, it would go down as one of the biggest shocks in Asia Cup history.
For now, all eyes are on September 10, when UAE takes on India at the Dubai International Stadium. Can Waseem’s men turn dreams into reality, or will experience triumph over ambition?
One thing’s for sure — cricket fans are in for a rollercoaster ride!
❓ FAQs for the Blog
Q1. What did Muhammad Waseem say about UAE’s chances in Asia Cup 2025?
A: Muhammad Waseem expressed confidence that UAE can upset either Pakistan or India and qualify for the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2025.Q2. When does UAE play India and Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025?
A: UAE will face India on September 10, 2025, and Pakistan on September 17, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Q3. Can UAE realistically beat Pakistan or India?
A: While it’s a tough challenge, UAE has home advantage and a fearless batting approach, making them capable of causing a potential upset.Q4. Who are UAE’s key players for Asia Cup 2025?
A: Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Rohid Khan, Junaid Siddique, and Aryansh Sharma are UAE’s crucial players to watch out for.