The cricketing world is holding its breath as India and Pakistan, two of the sport’s fiercest rivals, prepare to face off once again at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the Super Fours stage of the T20 Asia Cup. If you thought last week’s clash between these giants was dramatic, the buildup to their rematch has only intensified, with controversy, high stakes, and sky-high emotions setting the stage for what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
India enters this match brimming with confidence, having delivered a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Group A game just eight days ago. That win not only cemented their status as tournament favorites but also extended their dominant head-to-head record in T20 internationals: India has now claimed victory in eleven of their last fourteen T20Is against Pakistan. The defending champions are riding a wave of momentum, unbeaten in the Asia Cup and fresh off a T20 World Cup triumph in June 2024.
But it’s not just cricket that’s fueling the anticipation. The fallout from last Sunday’s match has spilled well beyond the boundary ropes. In a move that sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team walked off the field without partaking in the customary post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. When pressed for an explanation, Yadav stated, “A few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit. 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.”
The gesture—or lack thereof—was not taken lightly by the Pakistan camp. Manager Naveed Akram Cheema promptly lodged a formal protest with Andy Pycroft, the ICC-accredited match referee. Tensions escalated as the Pakistan team debated pulling out of the tournament entirely, leading to a delayed start for their subsequent match against the UAE. The controversy has since dominated headlines, with fans and pundits alike debating the intersection of politics and sportsmanship on cricket’s grandest stage.
Amid the uproar, the ICC has made its position clear by reappointing Andy Pycroft as the match referee for Sunday’s high-stakes rematch. Pycroft, who also officiated the previous India-Pakistan clash, found himself at the center of controversy after the handshake incident. The Pakistan team sent two emails to the ICC requesting Pycroft’s removal from both the tournament and their games. In response, the ICC arranged a meeting between Pycroft and the Pakistan management—comprising captain Salman Ali Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, and manager Cheema—where Pycroft expressed regret over the miscommunication but stopped short of issuing an apology. The ICC later clarified in an email that Pycroft “never apologised but only regretted the miscommunication,” and even accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of violating protocols related to the Players And Match Officials Area, an allegation the PCB has denied.
By sticking with Pycroft, the ICC has signaled its intent to stand firm and avoid setting what it views as an undesirable precedent. A tournament source told PTI, “Appointing Pycroft for another Indo-Pak game is a clear indication that the global body doesn’t want to budge from its stand as removing the former Zimbabwe Test batter would have set a wrong precedent.”
The controversy has clearly taken its toll on the Pakistan squad, who have taken extraordinary measures to shield their players from the mounting pressure. In a bid to bolster morale and mental resilience, the Pakistan Cricket Board has enlisted Dr. Raheel Karim, a seasoned motivational speaker, to work with the team. “Dr. Raheel joined on Wednesday and will remain with the squad until the end of the tournament,” sources revealed to telecomasia.net, as reported by IANS. Dr. Karim brings a wealth of experience, having collaborated with multiple sports teams over the past decade, and his presence is seen as vital to helping Pakistan navigate the emotional rollercoaster of this tournament.
The team’s anxiety is palpable, especially given the magnitude of the upcoming fixture. The Super Fours match against India is not just about points or progression to the final—it’s about pride, redemption, and the chance to put recent controversies to rest. In light of the ongoing drama, the Pakistan team management has canceled their pre-match press conference, a move aimed at avoiding further questions about the Pycroft appointment and the handshake saga.
On the field, both teams are expected to stick with the lineups that battled it out last week. For India, the predicted XI features explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who dazzled with a 31-run blitz off just 13 balls in the last encounter, and Suryakumar Yadav, whose 47 off 37 balls anchored the chase. The bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and complemented by leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, has been in imperious form.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to their young guns to turn the tide. Hasan Nawaz, with a strike rate of 174 and a T20 hundred to his name, offers hope for more aggressive batting. Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who has claimed 27 wickets in 19 T20Is, will be crucial in containing India’s formidable batting lineup. The team is expected to field the same XI that took the field last Sunday, despite the disappointing result.
Tickets for the match remain in high demand, with prices starting at $95 for general stands and soaring to $8,767 for a four-person hospitality box. The stadium is expected to be packed to the rafters, with fans from both nations creating a cauldron-like atmosphere that only adds to the sense of occasion.
Historically, India has the edge in Asia Cup encounters, having beaten Pakistan eleven times in twenty meetings, while Pakistan has triumphed six times. Three matches were abandoned due to weather. Pakistan’s last Asia Cup victory over India came in 2022, also in Dubai, when Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz starred in a memorable run chase.
As for the weather, players and fans alike can expect a scorching day, with temperatures peaking at 41°C (106°F) before cooling slightly to 31°C (88°F) by evening. The hot and humid conditions could play a role in determining how the match unfolds, especially in the latter stages as fatigue sets in.
With so much on the line—qualification, pride, and the chance to move past a week of controversy—Sunday’s India-Pakistan showdown promises to be an unmissable spectacle. The world will be watching as cricket’s greatest rivalry writes its next chapter under the floodlights of Dubai. Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: the drama is far from over.
