One down, two to go! How India and Pakistan could face each other again in Asia Cup 2025

NEW DELHI: India vs Pakistan under such a hostile climate — ranging from boycott calls to the post-match handshake snub — has already turned the Asia Cup 2025 into a politically charged and volatile spectacle.

But the drama in the UAE may only be beginning. The tournament format leaves open the tantalising possibility of not one, but two more high-voltage India–Pakistan clashes before the month is out.

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One down, two to go
India’s seven-wicket win over Pakistan on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium virtually secured their place in the Super Four stage. As Group A toppers (A1), India are expected to march into the next round.

For Pakistan, the equation is straightforward: beat hosts UAE in their final group game, and they qualify as A2. That scenario would set up a second India–Pakistan face-off in the Super Four next Sunday, September 21.

And if both sides hold their nerve and make it to the final, cricket’s fiercest rivals would be staring at a third clash on September 28, making this Asia Cup a potential trilogy of tension-filled encounters.

Hostilities beyond the boundary
The first clash was marred not just by India’s dominance on the field but by simmering hostility off it. India’s players refused the customary handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts — and even with match officials — before hurrying into the dressing room and shutting the door.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav defended the move, stressing that the team was aligned with the BCCI and government. “We stand with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity. Today’s win is dedicated to the armed forces,” he said.

Pakistan, however, lodged a formal protest with match referee Andy Pycroft. Head coach Mike Hesson called the episode “disappointing,” while skipper Salman Ali Agha boycotted the post-match presentation in protest.

On-field action

On the pitch, India’s bowlers set the tone as Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav combined to restrict Pakistan to 127/9. Shaheen Afridi’s late fireworks (33* off 16) ensured a respectable finish, but India chased the target in just 15.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma’s fiery 31 and Suryakumar’s unbeaten 47 sealed the deal, with the skipper finishing the match on his 35th birthday with a towering six.

With the Super Four looming and the potential final on the horizon, the Asia Cup 2025 could yet deliver two more chapters in the most politically loaded rivalry in world cricket.

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