Salman Butt Assesses Pakistan’s Chances Against India in Asia Cup 2025

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has shared his perspective on the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and India, scheduled for Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

During a recent appearance on a sports podcast, Butt provided a candid evaluation of Pakistan’s prospects against their rivals, indicating that while Pakistan has the potential to surprise, they are not the favorites to win.

“Pakistan is capable of securing a victory, but they are not the frontrunners in this contest. That much is evident. Realistically, based on team composition, they are not the favorites. I’d estimate their chances at around 30-40%,” Butt commented.

The former left-handed batsman emphasized that key players such as Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi could significantly influence the outcome of the crucial match.

“Fakhar Zaman is always a significant threat. If Shaheen Afridi manages to take early wickets, as he has done previously, it could destabilize India’s batting lineup significantly. This is how Pakistan achieved a relatively low target previously. A standout performance with the ball or a substantial contribution with the bat can shift the momentum,” he elaborated.

While acknowledging Pakistan’s potential match-winners, Butt conceded that India possesses an advantage due to their greater experience and consistency.

“Considering performance, experience, overall output, and confidence, India currently holds the stronger position,” he stated.

Butt also critiqued the Indian side for frequently making exaggerated claims about their team’s depth and capabilities.

“India often tends to exaggerate their capabilities, suggesting they have the resources to field multiple competitive teams. While they may possess depth, Pakistan adopts a different approach; we refrain from making such bold assertions,” Butt noted.

Looking beyond the match against India, Butt highlighted Pakistan’s inherent unpredictability in the T20 format, suggesting that the team remains a formidable competitor in the Asia Cup.

“Pakistan should not be underestimated. We have the capacity to surprise teams that take us lightly, and at times, we even surprise ourselves. This is characteristic of our team. In T20 cricket, a single exceptional performance from a player can alter the course of the game,” he remarked.

Butt underscored that, in addition to the established players, emerging talents could also play crucial roles in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s success will largely depend on standout individual performances on the given day.

“If Fakhar bats for an extended period, Pakistan’s chances of winning increase considerably, potentially reaching 60-80%. If Saim Ayub performs well, which has been infrequent due to consistency issues, his abilities could also secure a victory. Hasan Nawaz has proven to be a valuable addition since his debut, effectively contributing in the middle order, providing Pakistan with a significant asset,” he concluded.