Haris Rauf makes bold prediction on Pakistan's chances against India at Asia Cup: 'Both matches are ours'

India are strong favourites heading into next month’s Asia Cup, which returns to the T20I format and takes place in the UAE, with many backing them to go 2-0 up against arch-rivals Pakistan should both teams progress to the Super Fours. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, however, thinks otherwise.

Haris Rauf has featured in each of Pakistan's last five T20I meetings with India, including in the 2021, 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups. Reuters

Pakistan aren’t exactly overwhelming favourites to lift the Asia Cup trophy for the first time in the T20 format next month. They are, after all, coming into the continental event off the back of a first ODI series loss against West Indies in 34 years, thanks to a 202-run thrashing in the series decider earlier this month.

Their form in the shortest format under Salman Agha’s leadership is slightly better, but not enough for them to earn the favourites tag like India, who have been the standout T20I side since the start of 2024, deservedly winning the T20 World Cup along the way.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Rauf remains bullish on Pakistan’s chances despite recent record

Pacer Haris Rauf, however, thinks otherwise. In a clip that’s going viral on social media, Rauf claims Pakistan won’t just defeat India in their upcoming group-stage meeting in Dubai on 14 September, he believes they’ll make it 2-0 against Suryakumar Yadav’s men should the two teams meet again in the Super Fours – where the top two teams from each group face each other once in a round-robin format to decide to finalists.

In the clip, the individual holding the camera – presumably a fan – asks Rauf about the possibility of Pakistan meeting India twice in the tournament.

“Dono apne hai, Inshallah,” (Both matches are ours, God willing)," says confident Rauf in reply.

Watch:

Haris Rauf on Pakistan vs India. 🇵🇰🔥 pic.twitter.com/1nywqFxGou — Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) August 24, 2025

The 31-year-old pacer has featured in each of the last five T20I meetings between India and Pakistan – three of them in T20 World Cups (2021, 2022 and 2024) and twice in the 2022 Asia Cup, which had also taken place in the UAE.

Rauf had struck twice early during India’s chase of a tricky 160-run target set by Pakistan in their 2022 T20 World Cup meeting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, helping the Babar Azam-led side reduce the Men in Blue to 31/4.

Virat Kohli, however, produced a scarcely believable 82 not out which comprised a memorable six down the ground off Rauf, punching a length ball with a straight bat despite being cramped for room.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

As for their next T20 World Cup meeting in New York City in June last year, Rauf produced an even better spell, collecting 3/21 as Pakistan bundled India out for 119. This time, it was a Jasprit Bumrah special (3/14) that once again thwarted their hopes of collecting a victory, allowing India to sneak away with a six-run win.

Click here to read article