“ACC will have to reconsider whether they should keep eight teams” - Ajay Jadeja slams UAE for not playing 20 overs vs India

Ajay Jadeja criticized UAE’s performance in the Asia Cup 2025 after they were bowled out in just 13.1 overs against India. He urged the Asian Cricket Council to reconsider the eight-team format.

11 Sep 2025 13:03 IST

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Former Indian cricketer and commentator Ajay Jadeja has stated his disappointment over the United Arab Emirates’ batters not trying to play all 20 overs against India in their first Asia Cup 2025 game on Wednesday, September 10, in Dubai.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Jadeja asserted that there was no contest at all from the UAE side and added that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) should consider whether they should keep eight teams, as there was a lot of discouragement with the way the UAE performed.

"There is no doubt that India is the superior team, but there was no contest at all. There is sadness because of the way the UAE approached their entire innings. I admit you can't compete against India, but you didn't even play 20 overs," he said on Sony Sports Network.

"No matter how polite I might wish to be, it needs to be said that when we are talking about such a big tournament, and the Asia Cup is not a small tournament, they will have to reconsider whether they should keep eight teams because this is not encouragement, but a discouragement, because of the way they performed," he added.

Furthermore, the former Indian captain turned commentator also talked about the UAE’s strange collapse, while referring to the former UAE captain from the 90s. Moreover, he lashed out at the UAE side for the lack of talent.

"In the 90s, the UAE had a captain - Sultan Zarawani. He used to come to the ground in his Lamborghini. This innings went at the pace he used to come. It ended that quickly," he stated.

"Apart from the first three players, Alishan Sharifu and Muhammad Waseem, the captain, they don't have the talent. Asif Khan is a good player, there is no doubt about that. However, that quality, competitiveness, and edge were not seen at all," he concluded.

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