The stage is set in Dubai as India and Pakistan lock horns on Sunday in a Group A clash of the Asia Cup 2025 – their first cricketing encounter since the armed skirmish during Operation Sindoor. Suryakumar Yadav’s India will meet Salman Agha’s Pakistan in a match that, despite political undertones, promises high-intensity cricket.
Contrasting Build-Ups
Both sides enter the contest with wins in their opening games – India cruising past UAE, Pakistan easing past Oman. Yet their journeys since the last T20 World Cup could not be more different.
India, armed with depth and balance, boast one of the strongest bowling line-ups in world cricket alongside an in-form batting unit. By contrast, Pakistan have stumbled in search of consistency. Their batting has been brittle, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan struggling for runs, while their famed bowling has lost some bite.
Still, Pakistan showed glimpses of revival with their recent UAE Tri-series win, and their unpredictability ensures India cannot afford complacency.
Tensions Off the Field
The encounter comes in the shadow of the Pahalgam terror attack, which ignited debate on whether the match should proceed. The Indian government eventually cleared participation, allowing games in multilateral tournaments but not bilateral series. Surprisingly, ticket sales have been sluggish – a rare sight for an India-Pakistan contest – with seats still available online on the eve of the match.
We obviously are aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings. Gauti’s message has been very professional, about not worrying about things not in our control. I have no doubt the players share the compassion and feeling of the Indian public.
India’s Armoury
On paper, India appear favourites. Their bowling – Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy – looks potent on Dubai’s slow surface, where spinners have traditionally thrived.
Batting depth remains a strength, with Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Jitesh Sharma offering firepower. Shubman Gill’s niggle casts some doubt over his participation, but India’s versatility remains their trump card.
We’re lucky with guys like Sanju, Axar and Hardik who can bat anywhere. It’s part of our strategy to use versatility in tough conditions.
Pakistan’s Hopes
Pakistan’s batting hinges on Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz and Khushdil Shah, while their bowling spearhead Shaheen Afridi will look to dent India early. Youngsters Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed could prove crucial with spin if the pitch plays dry.
We trust each other, it’s a long-term process. On match day, we’ll assess conditions. If it looks drier, spinners will play a key role. If pace is needed, the coaches decide accordingly.
Pitch and Conditions
The Dubai International Stadium surface is notoriously tricky for batters, with average totals ranging between 160–170. Spinners often find assistance, making the toss and team balance pivotal.
Probable XIs: India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
