The stage is set for another electrifying showdown as India and Pakistan prepare to lock horns in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium. With the match scheduled for Sunday evening at 7:30 pm, excitement is reaching fever pitch, but it’s not just cricketing prowess that’s stirring the pot—political tensions and recent controversies are looming large over the contest.
It has only been eight days since these two South Asian giants last met, with India emerging victorious by seven wickets in a match overshadowed by a now-infamous handshake controversy. That win propelled India closer to the tournament’s final, set for September 28, and set the tone for a rematch that’s about much more than just cricket.
Both teams have been keen to avoid further controversy in the lead-up to this crucial fixture. On Saturday, Pakistan abruptly cancelled their pre-match news conference just an hour before it was due to begin, a move widely interpreted as an effort to shield players from probing questions about off-field tensions. Meanwhile, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav deftly sidestepped media queries about the ‘no handshake’ incident after his side’s win over Oman on Friday. Instead, Yadav stressed the importance of focus and mental fortitude, offering his teammates some sage advice: “Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that’s the best. It’s easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult.”
The roots of the current unease stretch back to the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025, which left more than 70 dead before an internationally brokered ceasefire brought hostilities to a halt. The political aftershocks have seeped into the cricket world, with both sides under pressure to maintain composure and sportsmanship amid heightened scrutiny.
The September 14 group stage encounter saw Indian players walk off the field without the customary handshake, leaving Pakistan’s squad waiting in vain. The incident, which followed a series of missile strikes and retaliatory attacks between the two nations, sparked outrage in Pakistan. As Suryakumar Yadav dedicated India’s victory to the country’s armed forces, the symbolic gesture was not lost on observers. Yadav stated, “We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and with their families, and dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.”
India’s missile strikes on six locations inside Pakistan were a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 tourists dead. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group advocating for Kashmiri independence, claimed responsibility, but India alleged Pakistani involvement—an accusation Pakistan categorically denied, demanding an independent probe. Pakistan’s subsequent attacks on Indian military installations further escalated tensions before the ceasefire.
The fallout from these events has been palpable on the cricket field. Pakistan’s manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, formally protested the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands, lodging a complaint with International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Andy Pycroft. Pakistan accused Pycroft of failing to communicate India’s intentions and violating the spirit of cricket. The PCB even demanded Pycroft’s removal from officiating their remaining matches. However, after discussions, the ICC and PCB reached an agreement, and Pycroft continued in his role, including for Pakistan’s match against the United Arab Emirates on September 17—a fixture delayed by an hour due to last-minute meetings between ICC officials and Pakistan’s management.
The ICC released a statement indicating that Pycroft apologized for the miscommunication, though an internal source later clarified to Al Jazeera that no formal apology was issued; instead, Pycroft simply explained his position. The ICC ultimately concluded that the incident did not warrant disciplinary action against the veteran Zimbabwean official, who will again oversee Sunday’s high-stakes clash.
Amid all this, both teams are making tactical adjustments in pursuit of a spot in the final. Pakistan is expected to shuffle its playing XI, with Saim Ayub likely to bat at number four or five, and either Faheem Ashraf or Hussain Talat poised to replace Hassan Nawaz. Haris Rauf is confirmed to play, ruling out Sufyan Muqeem, while the opening slot will go to either Muhammad Haris or Fakhar Zaman. These changes reflect Pakistan’s intent to strike the right balance between batting and bowling, a point emphasized by former cricketers who believe such equilibrium is crucial if Pakistan is to overcome India’s formidable lineup.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha has sought to keep his squad grounded, expressing confidence in the team’s recent performances. “We are relying on what we have done well in the last few matches,” he noted, signaling a desire to focus on cricket rather than distractions. Across the aisle, India’s spinner Kuldeep Yadav echoed a similar sentiment, urging everyone to “view the game purely in sporting terms.”
Yet, the rivalry’s intensity can’t be ignored. Because of ongoing diplomatic tensions, India and Pakistan now only meet at neutral venues during multinational tournaments, adding another layer of anticipation to their rare encounters. The Asia Cup 2025 is no exception, with fans and pundits alike calling this Super Fours match one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
Suryakumar Yadav, for his part, remains adamant that past results offer no guarantees. “We want to follow all the good habits that we have been doing from the last two or three games. We take it one game at a time. It doesn’t give us an edge that we have played them once and we had a good game. We have to start from scratch,” he told reporters. His approach underscores a collective effort to shut out external pressures and focus solely on performance.
Meanwhile, the specter of the handshake controversy continues to linger. While the ICC has attempted to draw a line under the episode, it’s clear that every gesture, every decision, and every word will be scrutinized under the microscope of geopolitics. As both teams prepare for tonight’s face-off, the hope is that cricket will be the ultimate winner, even as the shadow of recent events looms large over the Dubai International Stadium.
With both camps determined to move forward and the match referee’s role now clarified, all eyes are on the pitch. Will Pakistan’s strategic changes pay off? Can India maintain its winning momentum amid the noise? One thing’s certain: when the first ball is bowled, the world will be watching, eager to see if the players can rise above the fray and deliver a contest worthy of the game’s greatest rivalry.
