New Delhi, Oct 1 (NationPress) Arun Dhumal, who continues to serve as the chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressed his views on the recently wrapped up India-Pakistan Asia Cup final. He noted that the Men in Blue showcased exceptional cricket, reinforcing their status as the leading T20I team globally.

Dhumal emphasized that while achieving the top rank is relatively straightforward, sustaining that level over time poses significant challenges, a feat the Indian team has successfully accomplished.

"Achieving the pinnacle is easy, but staying there is incredibly challenging. India was the No. 1 team in T20s, and their remarkable performance throughout the tournament, winning each match decisively, deserves applause. Congratulations to the Indian team for their achievement!"

He extended special accolades to Suryakumar Yadav and the entire squad for their stellar cricket. By clinching the championship, they have affirmed their status as the world's top team, Dhumal remarked to IANS.

When asked about the possibility of a bilateral series between India and Pakistan in the future, he stated:

“It is ultimately up to the Government of India, which has declared that we will not engage in a bilateral series with Pakistan, and we fully endorse this decision. The BCCI will align with the government’s stance. For us, the country comes first, and cricket comes second.”

He also opined that the excitement surrounding India-Pakistan matches has been somewhat ‘overblown’ and that the Pakistani team lacks the influential players of the past, like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, who were once highly regarded by cricket fans.

“Certain incidents occurred that, in my view, should not have taken place in sports, but they did. We should not dwell on the past. Once again, we congratulate the Indian team for their remarkable performance.”

“I believe the hype surrounding India-Pakistan matches has been exaggerated. These encounters are not what they used to be. If you ask any Indian to name 24 Pakistani players, they might struggle to recall. In the past, names like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar were prominent, but they are no longer part of the scene.

“I also think that matches against countries such as England, New Zealand, or Australia are far more competitive. Due to the complexities of our relationship with Pakistan, the media tends to amplify the hype,” he added.

Dhumal further asserted that the Indian team possesses the capability to outperform any of the world’s elite teams, emphasizing that the depth of talent within the squad is unparalleled.

"Even against teams that perform exceptionally well, our performance has been commendable. Therefore, we should not inflate the significance of this match. We are more than capable of defeating any of the world’s best teams—not just our A or C teams, but with the talent we currently possess, there is no comparable skill set globally. This should instill pride in us, and we should also recognize and congratulate the players for their exceptional performances," Dhumal concluded.

vi/bc