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Not Afghanistan or Pakistan: UAE coach picks Asia Cup's second-best team after India

Divy Dubey

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Not Afghanistan or Pakistan: UAE coach picks Asia Cup's second-best team after India image

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The Asia Cup 2025 kicked off on Tuesday, September 9. The tournament sets the stage for battle between Asia's top cricketing nations and will be played in UAE's Dubai and Abu Dhabi stadiums.

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With India widely regarded as the tournament favourites, the bigger debate is around which side can push them the hardest. Many expect Pakistan or Afghanistan to be that team.

But when asked, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput put forward a different team.

UAE coach's surprising pick for Asia Cup No. 2 team

Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel, Rajput was asked to choose between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the second-best team in Asia behind India. Instead, he confidently placed his own side in that spot.

"I'll say UAE is the No. 2 team, ahead of both of them," Rajput remarked, while smiling at the unexpected question.

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Pressed again to pick between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the former India opener explained his reasoning.

"Batting-wise, Pakistan aren't that seasoned yet. Their fast bowling is good, but spinners have improved only recently. On days when the pitch helps spinners, Afghanistan will definitely be too difficult to beat," Rajput said.

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While Rajput's backing of UAE reflects the growing confidence within his squad, his comments also highlight how evenly matched Pakistan and Afghanistan are at this stage. Afghanistan thrashed Hong Kong by 94 runs in the Asia Cup opener.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will start their campaign against Oman on September 12. The team is coming with a strong confidence after dominantly winning the tri-series.

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With both teams showing flashes of brilliance, their upcoming Asia Cup clashes could well decide which one truly emerges as India's biggest challenger.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.