The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, known for its intense atmosphere, has recently been subject to debate, with India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, suggesting it's no longer a rivalry due to India's dominance. In response to this, Pakistan's fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has issued a bold statement, indicating that the true assessment will come on the field.

Yadav's comments came after India's repeated victories over Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Following India's six-wicket win in the Super Four stage, Yadav stated that a true rivalry would involve a more balanced win-loss record. He pointed out the lopsided statistics in T20Is, where India holds a significant lead. Yadav said, "if two teams play 15-20 matches and if it is 7-7 or 8-7, then that is called a rivalry. But 13-0, 10-1….I don't know what the stats are. But this is not a rivalry anymore". He urged the media to stop framing India-Pakistan matches as rivalries.

Afridi, however, has dismissed Yadav's assessment, saying, "Let him say what he wants. Neither has he reached the final yet, nor have we". He further added, "We will see when the moment comes. It is our job to win. We have come to win the Asia Cup. We will do our best". In a more direct response, Afridi stated, "That's his view, let him say. When we meet in a likely Asia Cup final on Sunday, we will see 'kya hai, kya nahi. Tab dekh lenge'. We are here to win the Asia Cup and we will give our best effort for that". "Tab dekh lenge" translates to "Then we will see," conveying a sense of confidence and anticipation for a potential final clash.

The history of India-Pakistan cricket matches is filled with tension stemming from the complex relationship between the two nations. Matches between the two are among the most viewed sporting events in the world. While Pakistan has won more matches overall (88) compared to India's 79 victories, India has dominated in ICC World Cups, winning 15 out of 16 matches. In T20 Internationals, India holds a 12-3 lead.

Despite Yadav's claims, the India-Pakistan encounter continues to generate immense interest and passion. Some analysts believe that the rivalry has lost its steam due to India's consistent dominance. Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta echoed Yadav's sentiment, stating that the level of competition isn't the same anymore.

Afridi's focus remains firmly on Pakistan's performance and their ambition to win the Asia Cup. He emphasized the importance of giving 100% in all aspects of the game, regardless of any sickness or injury. He also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where individual performances can vary.

As both India and Pakistan navigate their path in the Asia Cup 2025, the possibility of another face-off looms large. Whether it materializes in the final or not, Afridi's response has added another layer of intrigue to this storied rivalry. The phrase "Dekh lenge" encapsulates Pakistan's determination and sets the stage for a potentially thrilling encounter.