Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke about the iconic India-Pakistan cricket rivalry in a podcast conversation with Lex Fridman. India-Pakistan is always a much-awaited fixture, since the two countries only play against each other in ICC tournaments.

India and Pakistan were locked in the recent Champions Trophy, in which India dominated the match. Star batsman Virat Kohli played a superb century as India won the match. PM Modi was asked about the rivalry and which side is superior. PM Modi made a diplomatic remark.

He emphasized how sports can unite people and nations. "I believe that sports have the potential to energize the whole world. They unite people and should always be celebrated," he added.

WATCH || Responding to Lex Fridman's (@lexfridman) question about whether India or Pakistan has the better cricket team, PM Modi highlighted the power of sports to energize the world and unite nations. He emphasized that sports play a vital role in human evolution. Referring to… pic.twitter.com/I4auuR7RI8

— DD India (@DDIndialive) March 16, 2025

"Only experts in the game can determine who is the best. But sometimes, results are self-explanatory," he said. Citing India's recent win, he noted that the result of the match indicates which team is superior at the time.

ALSO SEE: PCB Issues Legal Notice to Corbin Bosch Over PSL Exit

Modi ji also clean bowled the Pakistani cricket team😂 #PMModiPodcast pic.twitter.com/ZjIelORUu7

— Pradeep Maikhuri (@PradeepMaikhur3) March 16, 2025

PM Modi was also queried on football and who his favorite player is. He stated that Diego Maradona was the greatest in the 1980s, while at present, most would accept Lionel Messi as being the greatest.

They reflect his perception of the unity strength of sports along with acceptance of India's recent supremacy over Pakistan on the cricket pitch

India vs Pakistan May Clash Three Times in Asia Cup 2025
Cricket enthusiasts are thrilled as India and Pakistan may clash with each other thrice in the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament is likely to be conducted in September 2025 with a T20 format. The competition will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong.
Possible Match Scenarios
The tournament structure implies that India and Pakistan will be in the same group. They will, therefore, play against each other at least once in the group stages. If both teams make it to the Super Four stage, they will play again. Furthermore, if both teams make it to the final, they will play each other for a third time in the competition.

ASIA CUP 2025 UPDATES: [Cricbuzz]

- T20I format.
- 8 teams (IND, PAK, SL, BAN, AFG, Oman, UAE, HK)
- 19 games.
- India vs Pakistan could potentially play 3 times.
- UAE or SL as venues.
- September 2nd week to 4th week pic.twitter.com/bb4BiOFhmX

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 27, 2025

Venue Considerations
As a result of political rivalry between India and Pakistan, the matches will be played at neutral grounds. Sri Lanka and the UAE are being considered by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as potential venues. This comes after other tournaments where India and Pakistan played on neutral grounds in order to circumvent travel restrictions and security issues.

ALSO READ:Asia Cup 2025: A Cricketing Spectacle Awaits

Historical Rivalry
India and Pakistan have a long history of cricket in the Asia Cup. They have played 19 matches in the competition so far, with India winning 10 matches and Pakistan winning 7 matches. Two matches did not yield a result. Their matches are always high-stakes and are watched by millions of viewers globally.

We just experienced an India vs Pakistan cricket match during Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India comfortably won with dominating performances in every challenge. While the tournament is still running, another India vs Pakistan cricket match is waiting for this calendar year.

Recently, India have mostly dominated against Pakistan in any format of cricket. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India claimed a six-wicket win against the defending champions Pakistan last Sunday (February 23).

While the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is running in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, which will run till March 9, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is eyeing to work on the schedule for the Asia Cup 2025, which will run in a T20I format. 

See Also: Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Nightmare: A Tournament to Forget!

Know about the next Asia Cup tournaments

For the ongoing cycle, ending in 2031, we are yet to experience four men's Asia Cup tournaments, two in the T20I formats (2025 and 2029) and two in ODI formats (2027 and 2031). The Asia Cup T20I is set to run with eight teams from 2025, while the remaining Asia Cup ODIs in the ongoing cycle are planned with six teams. The upcoming T20 editions will run with 19 matches each, and the upcoming ODI editions will run with 13 matches each. 

India will be the hosts for the Asia Cup 2025, while Pakistan has the hosting rights for the next T20 Asia Cup in 2029. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will host the next two ODI Asia Cups in 2027 and 2031, respectively. At least for the ongoing cycle, ACC has reportedly decided to follow neutral venues when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have the hosting rights for the tournament. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Sri Lanka has the better chance to host the Asia Cup 2025, under the hosting rights of the BCCI. 

India vs Pakistan match can be played three more times in 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was the first India vs Pakistan match in international cricket in 2025. Although Pakistan are already out of the tournament and India are ready for the Semi-finals in the ongoing ICC tournament, they can meet thrice during the Asia Cup 2025. In the Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan are in the same group along with two other qualifiers. If both India and Pakistan qualify, they can face each other in the Super Fours and the Final of the tournament.

The ACC has chosen September for the Asia Cup 2025. According to Cricbuzz news, the Asia Cup 2025 can run between the second and the fourth week of September. 

Cricket expert and ex-Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra recently chose his combined India-Pakistan XI. But his choice left many fans stunned, as all eleven members of his team were Indians. No Pakistani cricketer was included in his team .

Aakash Chopra’s Combined XI:

• Shubman Gill (India)
• Rohit Sharma (C) (India)
• Virat Kohli (India)
• Shreyas Iyer (India)
• KL Rahul (India)
• Axar Patel (India)
• Hardik Pandya (India)
• Ravindra Jadeja (India)
• Kuldeep Yadav (India)
• Mohammed Shami (India)
• Harshit Rana (India

Why Not Pakistan Players?
Most cricket enthusiasts anticipated the inclusion of best Pakistani players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan in the team. Chopra, however, considered recent performances and current form while selecting his team.

Babar Azam, the world's best batsman, is a sure bet for any combined XI. Shaheen Afridi with his pace and swing has given many top batsmen trouble. Mohammad Rizwan is a sound wicketkeeper-batsman with a good record in T20 and ODI cricket. They were not picked by Chopra for his XI despite their caliber.

Aakash Chopra picks Current Combined India-Pakistan XI:

1. Shubman Gill.
2. Rohit Sharma (C).
3. Virat Kohli.
4. Shreyas Iyer.
5. KL Rahul.
6. Axar Patel.
7. Hardik Pandya.
8. Ravindra Jadeja.
9. Kuldeep Yadav.
10. Mohammed Shami.
11. Harshit Rana. pic.twitter.com/cHbPcdzHWJ

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) February 25, 2025

ALSO READ:Virat Kohli Would Have Been Given Out For Obstructing The Field An Opportunity Missed By Pakistan

Analysis of Chosen Player

•   Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are arguably one of the finest opening pairs of international cricket at the moment.
• Virat Kohli is yet a significant player with all the experience he carries and the capability to win games.
• Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are the rock of the middle order.
• Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja provide all-around talent, including both batting and bowling strengths.
• Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami have been excellent with the ball.
• Harshit Rana is a new recruit, who has been very promising as a pacer.

Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer stunned the media by saying the win against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would have been a convincing victory by finishing the game earlier. 

Last Sunday (February 23), India faced Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the defending champions Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss. It was an important match for both teams, as Pakistan suffered a defeat in their first game of the tournament by 60 runs against New Zealand, and India beat Bangladesh by six wickets in their first fixture of the competition.

Pakistan batters failed to pressurise disciplined Indian bowlers, and it resulted in 241 all out for Pakistan in 49.4 overs. In reply, Virat Kohli completed his century on the last ball and the opener Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer also played strong roles with the bat, as India chased down the target in 42.3 overs after losing four wickets. India successfully chased down the target with 45 balls remaining, but Iyer felt that they could finish the game earlier. 

See Also: Hardik Pandya Creates History, Becomes Leading Wicket-Taker Against Pakistan in ICC Tournaments

I think we could have won a bit earlier: Shreyas Iyer

Iyer scored a valuable 56 off 67 balls with five fours and one six. He had a crucial 114-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket that ended the remaining hope for Pakistan in the match. Although India finished the match comfortably, the top middle-order batter feels they could have won the game earlier. 

Iyer said in the post-match press conference, "I think we could have won a bit earlier. It would have been a convincing win."

Iyer feels that they should have played more aggressively. He added, "But if we could have played more aggressively, we could have won a bit earlier."

I think Abrar bowled brilliantly: Shreyas Iyer

Only Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed provided some solid fightback among the Pakistan bowlers. In his 10 overs, the leg-spinner had the bowling figures of 28 for one wicket. As Abrar was bowling really well, as he dismissed the set batter Gill for 46 runs with a beauty, Iyer and Kohli were handling the leggie respectfully at the crucial moment. 

Talking about the situation, Iyer said, "I think Abrar bowled brilliantly. It was important and crucial for me to play out that spell and rotate the strike at the same time. It took some time and then once my eyes were set, I thought that sweep and reverse sweep would have been a great option to put them on the back foot. And I think that worked pretty well for me.

"It wasn't easy to take charge against Abrar. In that particular phase, it was important to take singles as much as possible and take the team to the end. Once we reach 30 or 40 runs, it is easy to charge on from there."

Iyer had a slow start in the chase as the right-handed batter once scored 17 off 33 balls. But soon after that, Iyer was going well by dealing with some boundaries. While there was no boundary, he and Kohli were always busy moving the scoreboard with singles and doubles. 

India's new batting star Abhishek Sharma has been terrorizing the cricketing fraternity with his bold strokeplay and brave shot-making. The left-hander's bold strategy as an opening batsman has been a revelation, and with two T20I centuries already in his kitty, he has become one of India's most promising young stars. A viral video in Dubai has been sweeping across social media, capturing the moment Wasim Akram meets Abhishek Sharma and showering praise on him for his sparkling ton against England.

Wasim Akram appreciating Abhishek Sharma in Dubai. ❤️pic.twitter.com/zMi9KnXEZX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 24, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Pakistani Fan Switches to Indian Jersey Mid-Match After Humiliating Performance

Men in Blue's emerging star was present for the thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, where he met two Pakistani greats across the border – Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.

Wasim Akram with Abhishek Sharma
The retired fast-bowling legends didn't mince words in their appreciation of the young man, giving him credit for his century against England at Wankhede as phenomenal.

When Wasim Akram opens his mouth, the cricketing fraternity listens. And when the Sultan of Swing goes out of his way to personally acknowledge a young cricketer, it says something about the ability and potential the player has.

India secured a comprehensive victory against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy match at the Dubai International Stadium. A clinical bowling performance by the Indians saw Pakistan being bowled out for a paltry 241 before a brilliant hundred by Virat Kohli guided India to a six-wicket victory.The game witnessed a funny incident when a fan switched his jersey from Pakistan to India as the Men in Green were finding it difficult to remain competitive in the game. The fan-changing jerseys video has gone viral now.

Pakistani fan changed his Jersey to Indian jersey yesterday during match because of humiliation 🤣 pic.twitter.com/jikCUITXtM

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) February 24, 2025

ALSO SEE: Lost The Track On Pacing The Innings

At the same time, the loss to India has jeopardized Pakistan's chances of making it to the semifinal. The Mohammad Rizwan team will require at least a miracle to make it to the semifinal. If New Zealand defeat Bangladesh on Monday, Pakistan will be eliminated from the tournament. Their sole hope of qualifying is if Bangladesh and India defeat New Zealand and Pakistan defeat Bangladesh. The Kiwi losses should be poor enough to bring their run rate below Pakistan.

India registered a record-breaking win against Pakistan on Sunday (February 23) in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Before this India vs Pakistan matches a few days ago, the popular IIT Baba of Maha Kumbh 2025 had predicted that India would lose, leaving the whole social media amazed. But following yesterday's game, his forecast was rendered worthless as India won. After this debacle, he has apologized for his X comments, which have attracted much attention from the internet.

IIT baba reaction on his failed prediction on Virat Kohli and Ind-Pak 😭 pic.twitter.com/N0NGQojgD1

— a (@kollytard) February 23, 2025

ALSO SEE: Pakistan's Champions Trophy Qualification Scenarios

He had earlier said, "Main tumko pehle se bol raha hu, is baar India nahi jeetegi. Jo jo hain, Viral Kohli. sabko bol do ki aaj jitke dikhaye. Ab maine mana kar diya hai ke nahi jeetegi to nahi jeetegi. Ab kya, bhagwaan bade hain ya tum bade ho? (I've been telling you from the start, this time India won't win. Tell everyone, including Viral Kohli, that they have to win today if they can. Now that I've said they won't win, they just won't. So what now? Is God greater, or are you?)"
But after India's victory over Pakistan, the internet vehemently condemned IIT Baba of Maha Kumbh for his unfounded predictions, and social media was abuzz with criticism. After receiving immense trolling, the IIT Baba who went viral made a post on X apologizing for his prophecy. He also made posts with photographs of Virat Kohli and Team India celebrating their victory. In the post, he wrote, "I want to apologize and request each of you to celebrate publicly, it's party time. Mujhe man hi man pata tha ki India jeetega."

The India-Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a bitter fight, but India emerged victorious by six wickets. The loss for Pakistan broke their fans and disillusioned them. The response from Pakistani cricket fans has been drastic, with most calling for changes in the team.

Fans' Disappointment
When Pakistan lost the match, many fans were frustrated. Some of them were heard destroying their TV sets, and others blamed the team's poor performance on social media. In Karachi, many fans turned their backs on their TV screens and could not help but watch the last few minutes of the match.

A fan in Islamabad expressed dismay, stating, "The fielding was poor, and the players were not focused. We wanted to see an improved battle against India." Another supporter opined that the team required more training and fitness to play at the top level.

Guys Pakistan Se Rujhaan Aane Start Ho Chuka hai #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/29BmTKGZDL

— Pulkit🇮🇳 (@pulkit5Dx) August 28, 2022

ALSO READ:Watch: IIT Baba Apologizes After Failed Prediction as India Crushes Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Demand for Team Changes
Most of the supporters feel that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must act. There have been demands for introducing new talent and enhancing team selection. Some fans have proposed that old players must be replaced with young, fresh players who can manage pressure.

A Pakistani cricket analyst commented, "The team is short on strategy and game intelligence. If they wish to be at par with top teams like India, they need to work on their skills."
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During India vs Pakistan Group A match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Indian legend Virat Kohli set another world record in international cricket as the right-handed batter became the fastest to complete 14000 ODI runs. 

After choosing to bat first, Pakistan managed to score 241 runs. India got a comfortable start despite the skipper Rohit Sharma having a short stay of entertaining 20 runs. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who has recently struggled to score good runs, joined the other opener Shubman Gill after the fifth over.

See Also: Ind vs Pak: Rohit Sharma leaves legends behind, sets new ODI record

Virat Kohli took 287 innings to complete 14000 ODI runs

Kohli, who was playing his 299th ODI match and 287th ODI innings, was 15 runs away from completing his 14000 ODI runs. The right-handed batter comfortably completed his 14000 ODI runs with a boundary as the right-handed batter became the third cricketer to record 14000 ODI runs. 

By completing 14000 ODI runs in 287 innings, Kohli became the fastest batter to reach this milestone. Legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar was the first batter to reach the 14000 ODI runs milestone in 350 innings. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara was the second player to complete 14000 ODI runs and the left-handed batter took 378 innings to reach this milestone. 

Fastest to 14000 ODI runs