Once again, the two traditional rivals and giants of cricket; India and Pakistan collide on the grand stage of Dubai for Asia Cup 2025. Rivalries are common in sport, but this one transcends the field, it’s culture, history, and passion rolled into one.
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, the cricketing world will once again tune in as the two neighbors square off in the Asia Cup.
Time, Ticket, Date, Location
The Group A encounter has already set pulses racing. Scheduled for 6:30 PM local time (14:30 GMT) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the match is expected to attract not only sell-out crowds but also millions of viewers worldwide.
Online tickets are available exclusively through Platinumlist.net, while offline tickets can be purchased from box offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As expected, demand is feverish, after all, who wouldn’t want to say they watched India and Pakistan live under the lights of Dubai?
Pakistan’s Winning Start | 93-Run Win Against Oman
Pakistan come into the clash high on confidence, having cruised past Oman in their opening game. A 93-run win sent a clear message: even without their biggest names, this team means business.
Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive knock at the top set the tone, while Shaheen Afridi reminded everyone why he is among the most feared new-ball bowlers in the world. Captain Salman Agha led from the front, earning praise for a calm yet attacking approach.
Analysts say the decisive factor was Pakistan’s bowling depth, with multiple options to squeeze the opposition.
Coach Mike Hesson echoed that view and explained Pakistan’s selection strategy after the controversial omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:
“Being honest about your assessment of players is pretty important. Looking at things objectively is important. What I have alluded to is the way the modern game is played and the strike rates required, particularly in good conditions.”
Hesson also fired a quiet warning to India, highlighting Pakistan’s spin options:
“I guess the beauty of our side is we’ve got five spinners. We’ve got Mohammed Nawaz, who’s the best spin bowler in the world at the moment… and obviously we’ve had Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem doing as well as they have.”
India vs Pakistan Stats – Past Asia Cup Matches
Whenever India and Pakistan meet, statistics are dusted off like old family albums. In 19 Asia Cup encounters, India has the edge with 10 wins, while Pakistan has claimed 6, and 3 matches ended without a result.
The last time these two sides met earlier this year, India clinched victory in a tight finish, once again proving why this matchup is rarely one-sided.
Add to that the fact that India are the defending Asia Cup champions, having dismantled Sri Lanka in the 2023 final, and the storyline becomes even juicier. Numbers say India usually hold the upper hand, but Pakistan’s habit of springing surprises makes every clash unpredictable.
Squads & Selection | Who’s in Who’s Out
Both teams arrive in Dubai with lineups that have stirred plenty of chatter.
For India, captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill headline a youthful but balanced squad. Exciting names like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are in, alongside experienced campaigners Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav. Yet, several established players are missing: Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were left out, Rishabh Pant continues his recovery, and Mohammed Siraj didn’t make the cut.
It’s a bold approach by selectors, prioritizing form and flexibility over reputation.
After India’s comfortable win over UAE in their opener, Surya Kumar Yadav praised the team’s clinical approach:
“Wanted to see how the wicket was playing. It was the same in the second innings. Clinical performance from the boys, we wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got.”
He also underlined the importance of spinners in Dubai’s heat:
“The wicket looked good but it was on the slower side and the spinners have a role. Here it is very hot right now and Kuldeep did well, got good support from Hardik, Dube and Bumrah.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash, the Indian skipper kept it simple but exciting:
“Everyone is excited for the game against Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s squad selection stole even bigger headlines. Longtime batting pillars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were both dropped, a decision that raised eyebrows across cricketing circles.
Stepping in as captain is Salman Agha, with Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf carrying the responsibility.
Former greats have weighed in: Wasim Akram called the decision to drop Babar “a brave gamble,” while Harbhajan Singh suggested India’s squad was “refreshingly balanced, with youth and experience in harmony.”
Views of General Public and Analysts
While fans are hyped, politics has added its usual layer of noise. Some voices in India have called for boycotts of cricketing ties with Pakistan, especially after tensions spiked between the two nations in May 2025.
To sidestep complications, the Asian Cricket Council settled on Dubai as the neutral venue, a city that has long hosted this high-stakes rivalry with relative ease.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also reminded both sides that while aggression is natural, it must stay in check:
“Aggression is the beauty of an India-Pakistan match. How to take that aggression is the key. Respect should be there. Players will have to remember cricket is a gentleman’s game. If they keep that in mind, I am sure Sunday’s match will go untroubled.”
Weather & Pitch Report
Fortunately for the organizers and fans, Sunday’s forecast is clear skies and pleasant conditions, no rain clouds to spoil the party. The Dubai pitch is traditionally friendly to batsmen, though the dew factor in the second innings often makes chasing easier.
Expect spinners to come into play during the middle overs, while fast bowlers like Bumrah and Shaheen will look to make early inroads with the new ball.
The Final Word
India vs Pakistan is never just another cricket match. It’s a spectacle, a carnival, sometimes even a stress test for fans’ heart rates. Both sides come armed with new lineups, bold strategies, and points to prove.
India wants to defend its crown, Pakistan wants to show that life after Babar and Rizwan can still sparkle.
Whatever happens on Sunday, one thing is certain: when these two teams collide, cricket takes center stage. Politics can wait, calculators can rest, and fans can simply enjoy the drama.
Because India–Pakistan matches are not just contests, they’re chapters in a never-ending story, and the next one is about to be written under the Dubai lights.
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This is the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, first held in 1983 as an ODI tournament. Since 2016, the event has alternated between the ODI and T20I formats. The 2025 edition returns to the 20-over format as a lead-up to the T20 World Cup next year.