India and Pakistan Clash Again in Asia Cup Super Four, Tensions High After Handshake Controversy

Sports News: India and Pakistan are set to face each other again in a thrilling Round 2 clash of the Super Four stage at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at 8 PM IST in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, reigniting one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. This match comes just a week after their group-stage encounter at the same venue, which was overshadowed by a controversial handshake, adding extra tension to an already high-stakes game. Both teams have had time to regroup, study each other’s strategies, and prepare carefully, knowing that even a single session could decide the outcome.

India vs Pakistan: Head-to-Head tie

India and Pakistan have met 209 times in international cricket since 1952, with Pakistan leading the overall record 88–77. In T20Is, India dominate with a 10-3 record in 14 games. However, Pakistan last defeated India at the Dubai International Stadium in a T20I during the 2022 T20 World Cup group stage, winning by 10 wickets. Since then, India have won three consecutive matches, including their last meeting in Dubai last Sunday, securing a seven-wicket victory.

In Asia Cup history, India also hold the upper hand, winning 11 of their 19 matches against Pakistan. Four of these were T20Is, with India losing only once in 2022 during the Super Four stage in Dubai, where Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round performance helped Pakistan chase 182 runs with a ball remaining. In the four T20Is played between the two sides at Dubai, both teams have won two matches each.

India vs Pakistan: Key battles

Key battles to watch include Shaheen Afridi versus Shubman Gill. Pakistan would have noted Ishan Kishan’s struggles against left-arm swing during their game against Oman, as he fell on the third ball to Shah Faisal, who also troubled Sanju Samson. With Shaheen Afridi in the team, Pakistan may focus on targeting India’s opener. Abrar Ahmed will be crucial against Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, who struggled against spinners on the slow Abu Dhabi pitch, going 22 balls without a boundary. Ahmed has conceded only two boundaries in 70 deliveries in the tournament so far.

Pakistan middle-order against Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s most effective bowler, taking eight wickets at an average of six. He played a key role against Pakistan in the last game, claiming three wickets for 11 runs in 18 balls, dismissing Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Nawaz cheaply. Kuldeep has also dismissed Salman twice in just 12 balls in T20Is.

India vs Pakistan: Probable line-up

The probable India XI includes Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakaravarthy.

Pakistan are expected to field Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (captain), Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.