The stage is set in Dubai for another electrifying chapter in one of cricket’s most storied rivalries. On Sunday, September 21, 2025, India and Pakistan will face off in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, just a week after their previous encounter was overshadowed by a handshake controversy that’s still sending ripples through the cricketing world. The anticipation is sky-high—not just for the cricket, but for the off-field drama that’s become inseparable from this fixture.
It’s not every day that a cricket match is about more than just runs, wickets, or points on the table. But when India and Pakistan meet, the stakes spill far beyond the boundary ropes. Their recent clash on September 14 was a stark reminder: after India’s dominant seven-wicket win, captain Suryakumar Yadav skipped the customary handshake with Pakistan’s players, a move that made headlines and ignited debates on both sides of the border. That simple gesture—or the lack of it—has become a subplot that’s nearly as gripping as the cricket itself.
The controversy didn’t end on the field. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC), alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, not to approach Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss. The PCB went so far as to demand Pycroft’s removal from their matches and threatened to pull out of the eight-team Twenty20 competition altogether. The drama delayed Pakistan’s last group game by an hour, but after Pycroft expressed regret, the match proceeded as scheduled. Tensions, however, have hardly cooled.
Indian media reports suggest that the team intends to continue its no-handshake policy for Sunday’s high-stakes rematch. Social media is abuzz, and fans everywhere are asking: will the handshake happen this time, or will the silent protest persist? The answer remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that the world will be watching every move, every gesture, and every moment of this encounter.
On the field, India have looked every bit the favorites. Their Super Four qualification was never in doubt, with Suryakumar Yadav leading a squad that’s firing on all cylinders. The previous match saw India restrict Pakistan to a modest 127/9, thanks to a clinical bowling display led by Kuldeep Yadav (3/18), Axar Patel (2/18), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/28). Chasing the target, Abhishek Sharma smashed 31 off just 13 balls, while Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47, sealing victory in only 15.5 overs. That win not only put India atop Group A but also sent a strong message to their rivals.
Pakistan, meanwhile, had to dig deep to secure their Super Four berth. Their crucial 41-run victory over the United Arab Emirates was enough to clinch the second slot from Group A. Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s captain, has tried to keep the focus on cricket, telling reporters, "If we play good cricket like we have played in the last few months I think we’ll be good against any side." Still, the pressure is immense. Pakistan’s lineup has been labeled fragile by analysts, and they’ll need a near-flawless performance to challenge an in-form Indian side.
The Asia Cup’s Super Four stage promises more than just India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, unbeaten in Group B, and Bangladesh, who edged out Afghanistan, complete the quartet. The round-robin format means each team faces the others once, with the top two advancing to the final on September 28. There’s even the tantalizing prospect of a third India-Pakistan showdown if both teams make it through—now wouldn’t that be something?
Cricket, of course, is only part of the story. The backdrop to these matches is a web of political tension and recent history that’s impossible to ignore. Just months ago, India and Pakistan were embroiled in their worst conflict since 1999, with more than 70 lives lost in a four-day cross-border exchange. The violence was triggered by an attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan—a charge Islamabad denies. With diplomatic relations at a low ebb, their cricketing encounters have become even more charged, taking place only at neutral venues and multi-team tournaments.
Yet, for all the off-field drama, the Asia Cup remains a crucial battleground for regional bragging rights and a key tune-up ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled for early next year. India, with eight Asia Cup titles (1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016 T20I, 2018, 2023), are the defending champions and widely tipped to retain their crown. Pakistan, with two titles (2000, 2012), are desperate to upset the odds and reclaim glory.
Both squads are stacked with talent. India’s lineup features Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan’s squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.
For fans around the globe, the match is must-see TV. In India, coverage is available on the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV. US viewers can catch the action on Willow TV, with the match starting at 10:30 AM EST. In the UK, Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR will broadcast the game, with coverage beginning at 3:00 PM BST and the first ball at 3:30 PM BST. Digital platforms like the Sky Go app and SonyLIV ensure that no one misses a moment, no matter where they are.
As the teams take the field in Dubai, the cricketing world holds its breath. Will India continue their dominance? Can Pakistan rise to the occasion and turn the tables? And, perhaps most intriguingly, will the handshake make a return or remain a silent symbol of the simmering tensions? One thing is for sure: when India and Pakistan play, it’s never just a game. It’s history, rivalry, and drama—played out in front of millions, with every delivery loaded with meaning.
With the Super Four just getting underway and plenty of cricket left to play, all eyes remain fixed on Dubai. Whether it’s the runs, the wickets, or the handshake, this clash promises to deliver moments that fans will be talking about for years to come.
