🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan, 6th Match, Group A, Dubai🏏

🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan, 6th Match, Group A, Dubai🏏

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

On the eve of India's Asia Cup clash with Pakistan, Ryan ten Doeschate was confronted with questions that swirled far beyond the boundary rope: Would players be carrying the sentiments of the public back home? Had India prepared differently for Pakistan? How was this match different from other India-Pakistan games?

The answers hardly mattered. What mattered was the reminder that India vs Pakistan is never just about cricket.

A marquee clash awaits cricket fans as India and Pakistan lock horns in a Group A encounter of the Asia Cup 2025 on today, September 14.

With a T20 World Cup just months away, both teams will view this match as a crucial test of form and temperament.

India enter the contest as overwhelming favourites, boasting a powerful batting line-up led by Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson. The middle order is further strengthened by Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube, who can change games in quick time.

In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah provides pace firepower, while Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy form a dangerous spin duo.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are in a transitional phase under new skipper Salman Ali Agha. Their hopes rest on the promising Saim Ayub at the top, Hasan Nawaz in the middle order, and a spin trio of Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Mohammad Nawaz. The experienced Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead their pace attack, aiming to rediscover his best form.

With India’s explosive batting up against Pakistan’s spin-heavy arsenal, this Group A clash promises high-quality cricket and could shape the direction of both teams in the tournament!!

Ryan ten Doeschate leaned in, shifting slightly under the glare of a press room fuller and noisier than usual. The assistant coach of India's cricket team, a former all-rounder from the Netherlands better known for his cricket than for grand pronouncements, must have known this press conference would not be about combinations and tactics.

Ten doeschate said what he could. Yes, the players felt compassion, but they would put it aside. No, preparations had not been any different. No illusions about being favourites either.

That was enough to capture the essence: this contest pulls everyone in. Players, coaches, administrators, governments, and in this case, even a city like Dubai at the peak of its summer. Whether the cricket in the middle can match that intensity, though, is not a guarantee.

India are a far stronger side at the moment: across formats, across conditions. Especially in T20Is, where they have finally committed to batting freely and going hard at any cost. Pakistan, under Mike Hesson, is trying to head in that direction, but the gulf could still show. That said, two of Pakistan's three wins against India in T20Is have come in Dubai.

India vs Pakistan Playing 11

India playing 11 (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan playing 11 (probable):Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed

India vs Pakistan: Head-to-head in T20Is

• Total matches: 13
• India won: 10
• Pakistan won: 3
• No result: 0

In the world of cricket, there are rarely any matches as big as India vs Pakistan, and both teams, time after time, have proved that. There were dark clouds over the match due to the ongoing geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan, but now that the match is set to go ahead as per schedule, it is important to look at some of the player battles that will be on display during the high-octane Sunday clash. Notably, both teams will be coming into the match with one win each.

Pakistan arrive after winning a tri-series, though they lived dangerously at times, scraping through tight finishes and even needing a hat-trick in the final to save a modest target. Their Asia Cup opener against Oman was more straightforward, but questions linger around their batting. India, meanwhile, warmed up by steamrolling UAE, their top order finding rhythm and their spinners looking in sync. With Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in the lineup, they have options to match Mohammad Nawaz, whom Hesson recently called the "best spinner in the world."

For ten Doeschate, a buzzing press room was enough to feel the weight of the rivalry. For the players, that weight will arrive in full under the floodlights: the noise, the pressure and the knowledge that every delivery in an India-Pakistan game starts well before it leaves the bowler's hand.

Team news

India: Ryan ten Doeschate reckoned that India didn't gain "too much information" from their first Asia Cup outing but seemed to suggest that the combinations are likely to stick. That could mean Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube in the middle-order once nire, no Arshdeep Singh, and more game time together for Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy.

Injuries/unavailability: Shubman Gill was hit in the nets during the optional session on match eve but the Indian vice-captain resumed his batting after a brief timeout and looked alright.

Tactics & matchups: Sanju Samson in the middle order hasn't quite worked before. In T20Is since 2021, Samson has averaged 24 and struck at 139 when batting No.4 or below. His corresponding numbers while batting in the top-three are roughly 37 and 148 respectively.

Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan: Salman Agha's side is also likely to go in unchanged after their convincing victory in the opening match.

Injuries/unavailability: The entire squad is available to pick from.

Tactics & matchups: Mohammad Nawaz, who was the Player of the Series in each of Pakistan's last two T20I series wins, will be key with the ball. He has averaged under 15 and conceded at under seven an over in each of the four series he's featured in, in 2025.

Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed

Did you know?

- Since July 2024, India's batters have the best strike-rate, average, boundary% and balls/six against spin among players of Full Member nations

- Since last year's T20 World Cup, Shaheen Afridi has averaged over 51 with the ball inside the powerplay

- Mohammad Nawaz was Player of the Series in each of Pakistan's last two T20I series wins

What they said:

"We're aware of people's feelings, at the same time we've got to go out, and the guys get a chance to play for their country, and they'll be as professional and focused as they can be given the circumstance." - Ryan ten Doeschate

"We are not just looking forward to the Pakistan-India match, but we are looking forward to winning the tournament." - Saim Ayub

Top 5 Player Battles to Watch Out for in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Match:

Abhishek Sharma vs Mohammad Nawaz

India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma has shown fearlessness against spin in the powerplay, but his challenge against Mohammad Nawaz will be intriguing. The left-arm spinner often operates inside the first six overs to break rhythm, and Abhishek’s aggressive intent could either pay off or backfire. Nawaz’s ability to bowl stump-to-stump makes it difficult for batters to free their arms, especially when the field is up. Abhishek’s strength lies in taking aerial routes against spinners, but Nawaz thrives on exploiting miscues with his variations in pace. This battle could set the tone for India’s start against Pakistan.

Shubman Gill vs Shaheen Afridi

Shubman Gill will once again face the stern test of Shaheen Afridi’s new-ball brilliance. Shaheen’s trademark inswinging deliveries to right-handers, pitched full at high pace, have troubled even the best in recent times. Gill’s biggest task will be to counter the first few overs when Shaheen is at his most lethal. Playing late and confidently leaving deliveries outside off-stump will be crucial for him to survive and capitalize later. On the other hand, Shaheen views Gill as a prized wicket considering his consistency at the top. Their duel could well decide India’s momentum in the initial phase.

Suryakumar Yadav vs Sufiyaan Muqeem

Suryakumar Yadav’s 360-degree batting will be tested against Sufiyaan Muqeem’s left-arm wrist spin, a unique weapon in Pakistan’s bowling arsenal. Muqeem relies on extracting sharp turn and disguising his googlies, often tempting batters with flight. SKY, however, thrives on innovation, using sweeps and reverse strokes to unsettle spin bowlers. This battle will come down to Muqeem’s accuracy and variations against Suryakumar’s unorthodox stroke-making ability. If SKY attacks confidently, Pakistan may struggle to contain runs during the middle overs. However, if Muqeem strikes early, it could open the door for Pakistan to apply pressure on India’s middle-order stability.

Kuldeep Yadav vs Fakhar Zaman

Kuldeep Yadav’s ability to outthink set left-handers will be crucial against Fakhar Zaman, a naturally attacking top-order batter. Fakhar loves using his feet to spinners and often looks to clear the infield with bold strokes. However, Kuldeep has troubled him before by forcing mistimed shots through extra flight and clever changes in pace. The variations, particularly the quicker googly, can make life difficult for Fakhar if he takes undue risks. This contest between Fakhar’s free-flowing approach and Kuldeep’s guile could heavily shape the middle overs. A quick breakthrough here would break Pakistan’s rhythm and tilt momentum India’s way.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Saim Ayub

Jasprit Bumrah’s battle with the aggressive Saim Ayub promises fireworks in the powerplay overs. Saim has shown intent to dominate bowlers early, particularly with his fearless drives and lofted shots. However, Bumrah’s unmatched accuracy, yorkers, and seam movement create constant doubts in the batter’s mind. India often relies on Bumrah to strike early and silence opponents, and he will target Ayub with hard lengths and late movement. For Ayub, the key will be to avoid over-attacking and respect Bumrah’s strengths while capitalizing on scoring opportunities. If Bumrah wins this contest, Pakistan’s top-order flow could be disrupted.