India, Pakistan set for Asia Cup T20 clash on February 27

Dawn Sport Published January 27, 2016

KARACHI: It has been 346 days since Pakistan and India last squared off on a cricket field.

But 2016 will provide fans with plenty of opportunities to see the two Asian giants in action in a series of high-profile matches first at the 2016 Asia Cup T20 followed by the World T20's marquee clash in Dharamsala.

Mirpur, Bangladesh, will witness the first of the epic encounters on February 27 after the 2016 Asia Cup T20 schedule was unveiled by the BCCI.

The tournament begins on February 24, with its final being played on March 6. The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur will host all the matches.

It will be the first time teams will vie for the Asian crown in the T20-format.

India and Pakistan share an even 5-5 record in the tournament, with Shahid Afridi smashing two consecutive sixes off the last over to seal a sensation win in the previous edition.

After playing India, Pakistan next faces a qualifier on Feb 29, followed by matches on March 2 and 4 against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively.

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Johnson Samuel

Jan 27, 2016 07:11pm

Welcome to India. The country of Love.

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Anuj

Jan 27, 2016 07:21pm

@Johnson Samuel asia cup is in Bangladesh buddy.

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Ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army

Jan 27, 2016 07:26pm

@Johnson Samuel What a joke of the day "the country of love" but not ready thrive the bilateral sport with Pakistan, despite of ample pleas from Pakistan. Though sports always play a fundamental role to close rivals. Grow up Johnson and come out of your illusions

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Khurram Khan

Jan 27, 2016 07:27pm

If Bangladesh are host of this tournament then why would BCCI be unveiling the tournament dates?

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Tazu

Jan 27, 2016 07:27pm

Why Pakistan is playing with India in an ICC tournament if India is not willing to play in bilateral series ?

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Ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army

Jan 27, 2016 07:28pm

Two Asian giants,,,,,,wow as far as India is concerned, this sentence is digestible but where does Pakistan stand bottom in the ranking......amazing

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Ahmad khan Baluch

Jan 27, 2016 07:37pm

Good News, but PCB Chief Sharyar have to take drastic action, removing Waqar, Haroon & in players non performer, Ahmad Shahzad, Maqsood, Akmal replacement Khuram Manzoor, Shan Masood. Shafiq, Fawad Alam or Hammad Alam. These 3 players of Afridi buddies and not performing long time. If these 3 will play than doubt abt result. If these 3 drop Pakistan team than chance r 100% win.

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سے Shaam (Hanafi)

Jan 27, 2016 07:38pm

@Khurram Khan- because BCCI has sponsored the tournament in Bangladesh...

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sandeep

Jan 27, 2016 07:43pm

I have analysed all the matches played between India and Pakistan. I have noticed many weak links which have lead to the down fall of Pak against Indians in WC matches. I have listed their deficiencies here, 1. Lack of Captaincy skills from Pak ( Except Imraan Khan), Aamir Sohail,Waqar Yunis,Wasim Akram, Shaid Afridi and Misbah are no great captains.(Check their stats) 2. Their strongest arm (Bowling) has been weak against Indians in all the matches (Except 2011 WC) compared to Indians bowling efforts. 3. Inability to rotate strike. They fail miserably to take singles (i suppose they do not even know how to take singles and Manipulate the fielding) 4. They are very weak when it comes to batting. 5.Pathetic fielding unit under pressure situations. (you know what i mean, Catches win matches).

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AMPLE REVERENCE 4 KSA & PAK ARMY

Jan 27, 2016 07:44pm

i am sure india will win that match

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angela daye

Jan 27, 2016 07:49pm

Pakinstan should not send Cricket team to India as a retaliation of India not fulfilling its commitment.

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Jawad

Jan 27, 2016 08:13pm

@Ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army ....Pakistan have won more matches from india in ODI and TEST. India still retain second spot in ODI even after losing to aussies. Indian team is a joke

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US CENTCOM

Jan 27, 2016 08:35pm

I would say India again holds the edge with the batting, and Pakistan with the ball. To say the least, I cannot wait to watch both teams play against each other. You are almost guaranteed a competitive match each time. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

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Cricket Lunatic

Jan 27, 2016 08:56pm

Great video by Dawn, amazing memory, hope Afridi can deliver one more time!

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ayush

Jan 27, 2016 08:56pm

India is currently ranked 1 in test and 2 in one day. by end of t20 world cup it will be in top 2 t20 too

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ayush

Jan 27, 2016 08:58pm

@jawad .India has chased above 300 runs 17 times still you think its a joke lol.go see Aussie India series all game were damn close and Indian made highest individual score of 171 in Australia and chased highest score of 330 on Australian soil. dude come out if delusion

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Shahryar Shirazi

Jan 27, 2016 09:01pm

Unfortunately, gone are those days when the event was a competitive one. These days the two teams are un-evenly matched and hence the contest will be of no interest as it used to be for the first 65 years post independence.

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Shakil USA

Jan 27, 2016 09:08pm

To avoid humiliation PCB should seriously consider remove Waqar and Haroon and selection should be base of performance. We see what happen during NZ t20 series. Pakistan team not been able to perform well in pressure and losing in India will be so shameful.

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MGB

Jan 27, 2016 09:22pm

@Jawad don't just stick to past bro look at your current batting, no way to stand in front of Indian batting.

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Bilal

Jan 27, 2016 09:40pm

What clash! The way green shirts have been playing, no one is expecting anything from them. Its going to be like any other India Pakistan game. A lot of hype followed by poor performances all round by the Pakistani Team.

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Gourav Desai

Jan 27, 2016 09:40pm

Writing is pretty much on the wall. IND will win convincingly. No doubt!

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Akram

Jan 27, 2016 09:43pm

@US CENTCOM "You are almost guaranteed a competitive match each time." Not this time sir. Did you see Pak play against NZ?

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Erik

Jan 27, 2016 09:48pm

Result is already known - India wins by big margin. Pakistani batsmen cannot score 250.

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AIZ

Jan 27, 2016 09:59pm

No match of the teams .... Ind def win

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anony

Jan 27, 2016 10:33pm

Best of luck Team GREEN.

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Raza

Jan 27, 2016 10:37pm

@sandeep Good points and I would agree with you as well. Bating lately is in turmoil and fielding has always been a major concern. I would attribute one more thing and that is fitness or should I say lack of fitness.

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anony

Jan 27, 2016 10:40pm

Mannn, that video clip brought back good memories. The expression on kohli and ashwin's faces were priceless when King Afridi whacked the last ball for a 6.

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Zain

Jan 27, 2016 10:50pm

The odds of India winning the game are definitely 80% if not more. Pakistan's bowling attack is no better than Australia. If India can belt 300+ runs against Australians, they should have no problems doing the same to the Pakistan bowling attack. Pakistan's bowling attack on the other hand, though full of potential, is just not doing any good right now. As a Pakistani, it's just painful to see my team in this condition.

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Atif Latif

Jan 27, 2016 10:54pm

Not interested! This match or any match/series with India does not have any cricketing significance for a fan like me. People who are still crazy about this can go knock themselves out.. :)

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sri_loves_ind

Jan 27, 2016 10:56pm

@anony ...sorry mate, i was just seeing the expressions of afridi after world cup 2015 ind vs pak match.. meanwhile, i noticed a lot of pak fans criticizing afridi due to poor performances and captaincy and suddenly you call him king..? typical sub-continental cricketing attitude mate.

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Arshad Patel

Jan 27, 2016 11:05pm

You may surprise but this is fact....Pakistani cricketers some how gain the form and play well against arch foe, India! Pakistan would spell a thriller, India could loose the only game of the tournament before loosing finale to Australians!!!

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Aamed1980

Jan 27, 2016 11:07pm

Bangladesh cricket team could probably beat both teams... Sadly Pakistan has the weakest side ever in its cricketing history

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Indiana Janardhan

Jan 27, 2016 11:12pm

I think BD will win this tournament - although in T20 the game can swing in any direction within a matter of 2 overs.

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Raza

Jan 27, 2016 11:16pm

@Gourav Desai What wall are you looking at, based on current thrashing India has received in Australlia and then BD also beat India in the series in 2015 plus Pak factor this can be anyone's cup. Not to mention the great Lankans.

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Sunil

Jan 27, 2016 11:23pm

@angela daye This would be good news. Indians will definitely welcome.

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Shahid

Jan 27, 2016 11:26pm

I have read a few of the comments on here and I also agree that Bangladesh will most likely win this tournament. As an odi team they are very strong and Pakistan team is nothing more than club level. Its better to state the obvious than try to pretend. Post Misbah, I think chasing 150 will take some real effort. Cricket is now a batsman game especially with two new balls, batting powerplays, free hits, teams with good players get 300 without trying.

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Bassam

Jan 27, 2016 11:30pm

@Jawad In Last 10 years India won more 90% of the matches played between India and pakistan

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ejaz

Jan 28, 2016 12:22am

chances of India winning the Asia cup are high. Pakistan will end up in 3rd or 4th position.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jan 28, 2016 12:43am

Good news. Green-shirts, keep it up and hang on tough.

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Arvind Ajimal

Jan 28, 2016 01:07am

For India all depends on how they fare in the next two T20 matches against Aus. If they win they will be returning home as heros with morale quite high. And with that they enter the Asia cup. Otherwise it's tough for them.

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Jan 28, 2016 01:09am

@Anuj He didn't say it in context of cricket Anuj. India welcomes every clean heart with love.

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Jan 28, 2016 01:11am

@Ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army Just coz India refused to play cricket with a nation doesn't change anything. India means love non violence and harmony for all faiths. We reserve right to decide our policy regarding other nations.

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Jan 28, 2016 01:13am

@Ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army Actually Pakistan has more bowling talent than any other nation bar perhaps NZ and Australia. But please groom some batters.

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Ali Khan

Jan 28, 2016 01:41am

Afridi ,you better retire and please take with you ahmed shahzad and maqsood and wahab.Please please please do us a huge favor,I can't be politer then that

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Sarah

Jan 28, 2016 01:44am

@ayush Only if England allows them,broke your heart.

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Ramal Khan

Jan 28, 2016 01:45am

@Bassam Sir, In 2006, 2007 and 2012 all the series are won by Pak with margins of 5-2, 4-2 and 2-1 respectivley). In Asia Cup in Bangladesh Pak defeated India in 2013 (Ashwin may remember that) more over one win in Champion trophy in 2009... India won at Mohali in 2011, Adelaide in 2015, one win in Asia Cup in Bangladesh (Kohli 183) ... so how come it becomes 90%... However, I agree with you as far as T 20s are concerned. Mr Jawad's comment was about ODIs and Tests and not T 20s.... You have got a good team at the moment..... So enjoy.. we have nothing to lose... and also your home soil (by the way it is in Bangladesh)

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Sarah

Jan 28, 2016 01:47am

@ejaz Don't underestimate Bangladesh who had easily crushed India last time in Bangladesh.I am on BD side because of there young team.Pakistan need to improve fielding and running between wicket.Without that shorter format is not ideal.In Test matches it is different ball game because of there seasoned campaigners.

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Mark

Jan 28, 2016 02:31am

@Aamed1980 Bangla to be able to beat Pakistan and India is a joke. Lets not forget in the last Asia cup Bangla were convincingly beaten at their own backyard by the associates members Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Bangla has not yet gotten rid of the minnows tag and Afghanistan is very much changed side now having recently beaten Zimbabwe both in one dayers and T20 very convincingly. BTW Bangla rank 11th while Afghanistan two places above her in the latest ICCs T20 rankings, thats speaks where Bangla are.

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Changez_Khan

Jan 28, 2016 02:40am

Nobody in Pakistan cares!

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schal

Jan 28, 2016 05:32am

@Shakil USA Just a game, nothing to worry.

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schal

Jan 28, 2016 05:35am

@Atif Latif Please don't be so negative. Things will improve.One has to try and not give up.

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Jan 28, 2016 06:00am

India is no match to us in T20 as no Indian is at top of the ladder. Question how to prove we are better than India now in Feb and Mar 16? In batting Mc Cullum & Guptill both NZ scored 2140 (70 innings) and 1624 (54innigs) respectively. Dilshan of Sri Lanka & Duminy of South Africa scored 1618 (67innings) and 1528 (58 innings) respectively. Hafeez and Akmal scored 1512 (68 innings) and 1501 (67 innings) respectively. This itself very categorically proves without any shadow of doubt that India is far behind on this account otherwise at least one if not two Indians were here amongst top 6 bats.In bowling Afridi, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal took 90 (89 innings) 85 (60 innings) and 85 (64 innings) while Malinga & Mendis both Sri Lankans took 74 (61 innings) and 66 (39 innings) respectively. I say with authority that we must put heart into the game to beat India. I pray that Pakistan must flutter our flag atop. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi/Kuwait/zaidi-former-diplomat@hotmail.com/Mobile +965-66229897

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Omar

Jan 28, 2016 06:03am

Yawn! who cares. Not interested in this series anymore. Pakistan should go and play in Australia, South Africa and Britain. Those will be more exciting to watch!

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natey

Jan 28, 2016 06:40am

its gonna rain n match cancelled

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Steve Boston

Jan 28, 2016 07:01am

@angela daye Angela they are going to Bangladesh not India

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Steve Boston

Jan 28, 2016 07:05am

@Shakil USA Chill out it is just a cricket match man

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Steve Boston

Jan 28, 2016 07:16am

@Atif Latif Excellant attitude. It will take you distance

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Faisal

Jan 28, 2016 07:25am

We couldn't defeat NZ and England ... for sure we will defeat India in India. Keep on dreaming... there is no tax on it.

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sandeep

Jan 28, 2016 07:58am

@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi..Pakistan has played 97 t20 matches and India 58 matches till now..that means almost 40 matches less..that means aggregate total scoring does not come into the picture. Also virat has best average 48.08 in world in t20...whereas yuvraj has record fastest fifty in t20...India has managed two highest successfull chases in t20 history, first one 211 at mohali against srilanka and second one 202 against Australia at rajkot...and by the way do u know that which team has received distinction twice by losing the matches with opposition scoring all runs keeping all the wickets intact..its south frica at Johannesburg and new Zealand at Hamilton against pakistan

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Khurram khan

Jan 28, 2016 09:27am

@Bassam. I am shocked that you distorted the facts by saying that India win 90% of the matches against Pakistan in the last 10 years. Here is the records of the last 10 years for ignorant people like you. Since 2006 Test total of 6 test played with each team won 1 each with 4 draws One day . Total is 26 played with India won 16 and Pakistan won 10. T20 . Total of 6 played with India won 4 and Pakistan won 1 with 1 tied. How this stats can be called 90% winning rate. Please explain .

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lostboi

Jan 28, 2016 09:27am

no afghanistan?

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Rahul

Jan 28, 2016 09:34am

@Sarah - *Pakistan need to improve fielding and running between wicket* Yes Sarah that's the only problem.

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CALCUTTA MAN

Jan 28, 2016 10:10am

@Arshad Patel I just have this sinking feeling that you could be right!!! Somehow I am getting this premonition that yes, we could lose to Pakistan. Law of averages catching up, etc... I so hope I am proved wrong, but...

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rakesh

Jan 28, 2016 10:20am

@Ramal Khan for kind of your information in 2006 india came in pakishtan , won 5 match odi series 4-1 .also1 match lost due to bad light oterwise india won.in 2007-6 pak cme in india and india won that series 3-2 ,

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Mehrbano

Jan 28, 2016 10:59am

Ready.. set.. heartbreak..

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Waqas

Jan 28, 2016 11:57am

Why is Pakistan playing India in any format in any sport?

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rbha

Jan 28, 2016 12:16pm

@Khurram Khan Because BCCI is the boss

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kaymalik

Jan 28, 2016 12:45pm

What is this "qualifier" game???

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Doesn't matter

Jan 28, 2016 12:55pm

India's top Order are in the form of their Life.. Shikar Dhawan Found his form, Rohit & Kohli are having the form of their life, Rahane in past have scored more then 50's in all the matches. Yuvraj is back, Raina's getting his touch again and the bench strength stronger like of Manish Pandey and many more.. Surely its gonna be one sided game.. India Will win with big margin..

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Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 28, 2016 01:15pm

@Anuj In that case welcome to Bangladesh. May they ensure everyone eats lots of roshogollas

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M.M.Sherazi

Jan 28, 2016 03:14pm

Another venue waiting for Pakistan to expose more weaknesses before WC.

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Ayaz Munir

Jan 28, 2016 05:22pm

@Gourav Desai Well its a 5-5 for both countries in case of Asia cup , lets see who wins , T-20 is not that predictable my dear. Love and Peace from Pakistan

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Ayaz Munir

Jan 28, 2016 05:25pm

If Pakistan wins this one , almost every one will forget all their recent dismal performances. Good chance for Team green for sure.

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Indian king

Jan 28, 2016 07:07pm

Let's hope Pakistan comes back strong and we have a good india pak match. Don't forget Lanka they can beat any team

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Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 28, 2016 08:13pm

@Tazu There is time for bilateral series. hang on bro and watch this space.

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Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jan 28, 2016 08:14pm

@Zain never underestimate an Indo Pak match. Both the teams will put up their best.

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MAK-Khi

Jan 28, 2016 09:33pm

@Ayaz Munir This is the problem with us as Pakistanis. We are emotional nation and one good act of any corrupt person (by chance) wipes out all the earlier wrong deeds. We must not forget our past rather we need to learn from that.

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SAP

Jan 29, 2016 12:52am

I think Pakistan should not send Afridi. Shoeb Malik is the best choice for Captain.

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Nooru52

Jan 29, 2016 11:12am

what about last Asia cup my Indian bros Two SIXES in last over

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vijay123

Jan 29, 2016 12:52pm

@angela daye ... Agree on this ....