Dubai, September 20, 2025 – The stage is set for one of cricket’s most anticipated encounters as India and Pakistan prepare to face off in Match 2 of the Super Four in the Asia Cup 2025.
The match, scheduled for Sunday, September 21 at 19:30 Pakistan Standard Time (PST), will be held at the iconic Dubai International Stadium. Excitement is at fever pitch as the arch-rivals meet once again on one of the grandest stages.
This clash represents round two of the battle between the two giants, with the earlier group-stage meeting ending in a one-sided contest favoring India. The Men in Blue outclassed their rivals, exposing weaknesses in Pakistan’s batting and bowling combinations. Since then, tension has been high, particularly with off-field controversies like the handshake saga continuing to make headlines.
For Pakistan, the challenge is enormous. Although they began their Asia Cup campaign with a commanding victory against Oman, consistency has eluded them. A heavy loss to India was followed by a nervy win over the UAE. The team’s batting lineup has struggled to rotate strike effectively on Dubai’s slower pitches, while Saim Ayub remains under pressure after three consecutive ducks. Shaheen Afridi’s late cameos have helped salvage their totals, but the team’s reliance on the lower order is a growing concern. The selection puzzle also persists, as Pakistan oscillates between an extra spinner and raw pace through Haris Rauf.
India, by contrast, enter the match with confidence. Their campaign so far has been clinical, with commanding wins against Pakistan, UAE, and a strong challenge from Oman. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India have experimented with their lineup, giving valuable opportunities to players such as Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, and Shivam Dube. The bowling attack, anchored by Jasprit Bumrah in the Powerplay and supported by spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, has consistently applied pressure on opponents.
However, India face a minor setback with Axar Patel’s fitness in doubt after his head injury against Oman. If unavailable, this could disrupt their preferred spin-heavy attack. Still, history favors the Men in Blue—Pakistan’s last victory over India came in Dubai during the 2022 Asia Cup. Since then, India have dominated, winning all six completed encounters.
The big question now: can Pakistan finally turn the tide, or will India extend their winning streak in style?