“Pakistan’s confidence levels are questioned” - Ex-Indian cricketer reveals second-best team after India in Asia Cup 2025

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has stated that Afghanistan can challenge a team like Pakistan in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025 campaign, which is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 9, in the United Arab Emirates.

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While Madan Lal asserted that India is a strong favorite to win the Asia Cup title in the UAE, he also questioned Pakistan’s current performances and confidence levels. Most recently, Pakistan suffered a defeat to Afghanistan in the T20I tri-series.

"India is a strong favourite due to their skilled team. The unpredictability of the T20 format and the performances of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — noting that Afghanistan is currently playing well,” Madan Lal told ANI.

“There is controversy over the team combination, particularly the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, with selections often decided by selectors and coaches. Afghanistan is seen as a potential challenger to Pakistan, whose current performance and confidence levels are questioned. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are considered strong contenders," he added.

Furthermore, he also talked about including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, courtesy of his unique bowling style, as it would be difficult to counter in the shortest format of the game, adding that his inclusion also depends on the pitch condition.

"Kuldeep Yadav should be included in the team due to his unique bowling style, which is difficult to counter in T20 cricket, though the final decision depends on the wicket conditions and team combination. Two spinners and three pace bowlers should be included in Dubai,” he noted.

It’s important to note that Kuldeep Yadav failed to make it to the playing XI in all five Tests against England in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. His last international game came against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 grand finale.

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India’s squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel.

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