India vs Pakistan: Rivalry Reignites as Both Set to Face Each Other Three Times in Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup is set to begin on Tuesday, with the marquee clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan drawing global attention. This will mark the first cricket encounter between the two nations since military clashes in May.

According to French news agency AFP, the T20 matches will not only decide regional supremacy but also serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026.

The tournament, featuring eight teams, will kick off in Abu Dhabi with a match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other on September 14 in Dubai. Legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram has urged both players and fans to exercise patience and restraint during the high-profile clash.

Since 2012, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series on each other’s soil, meeting only in international tournaments held at neutral venues under an existing agreement. Both teams are in the same group, and they could potentially face each other up to three times during the tournament. The final is scheduled for September 28 in Dubai.

Background of Tensions

The heightened tensions follow the violent military clashes between India and Pakistan in May, the worst since 1999. The conflict began after an April 22 attack in the Pulagam area of occupied Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of the attack without providing evidence, which Pakistan denied. On May 7, India carried out airstrikes on Pakistani territory, prompting the Pakistani Air Force to shoot down six Indian fighter jets. U.S. intervention helped broker a ceasefire on May 10.

Tensions have also affected cricket. In July-August, a team of retired Indian cricketers refused to play Pakistan in the semi-finals of the World Championship of Legends in England. Led by Yuvraj Singh, the team had already refused to face Pakistan in the group stage, sparking fan calls for match boycotts. Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh criticized the idea of playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup, stating that cricket is a small matter compared to the ongoing border conflict.

India Enters as Favorite

India and Pakistan last met in February in Dubai during the Champions Trophy 50-over match, with India winning by six wickets to claim the title. India, the defending Asia Cup champion, enters the tournament as a clear favorite under Surya Kumar Yadav’s leadership, holding a 10-3 record in T20 Internationals against Pakistan.

Pakistan will compete without star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were dropped from the short format due to poor form. The previous Asia Cup in 2023, played in the 50-over format, saw India defeat host Sri Lanka in Colombo to win the title, reinforcing its status as the team to beat.

Tournament Format

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council—Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka—qualified automatically. They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE, who earned their spots through the ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

Group A consists of India, Pakistan, host UAE, and Oman. Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. The group stage will be followed by the Super Four round, with the final scheduled in Dubai.

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