Dubai, September 14 – The stage is set for one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries as India and Pakistan lock horns in a high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium this Sunday. The contest begins at 6:30 pm local time (14:30 GMT).
Why Dubai Again?
Although India holds the official hosting rights for this Asia Cup edition, the tournament has been shifted to the UAE due to ongoing political tensions. Neutral venues have become the norm for India-Pakistan clashes, with Dubai emerging as the most frequent battleground in recent years.
Recent Form
India – The defending champions started their campaign in style with a nine-wicket hammering of the UAE. They enter this clash riding on a strong run, having lost only three of their last 20 T20 internationals.
Pakistan – Fresh from winning a tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE in Sharjah, Pakistan will aim to build on that momentum. Their recent T20 form is steady, with three series wins this year.
Key Players to Watch
India
Abhishek Sharma – The explosive opener has the highest career strike rate (193) in T20 cricket, backed by multiple centuries.
Varun Chakaravarthy – With 27 wickets in his last 12 T20Is, the mystery spinner is India’s X-factor.
Pakistan
Hasan Nawaz – A hard-hitting young batter with a strike rate of 174, capable of providing Pakistan the aggressive starts they’ve long missed.
Sufiyan Muqeem – The left-arm wrist spinner has quickly become a central figure, taking 25 wickets in just 17 T20Is.
Predicted Lineups
India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (captain), Hasan Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Head-to-Head
In T20 internationals, India holds a dominant edge with 10 wins in 13 matches.
In the Asia Cup, India has beaten Pakistan 10 times in 19 encounters, while Pakistan has 6 wins.
What’s at Stake?
A victory on Sunday would almost guarantee a Super Fours spot, where there’s a strong chance of another India-Pakistan clash on September 21. If both teams make the final, fans could witness this iconic rivalry three times in just two weeks.
Conditions in Dubai
Expect hot and humid weather at the start (41°C), cooling down to around 33°C under the floodlights. Bowlers will have to cope with dew later in the evening, making toss crucial.
