On Sunday, September 14, the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan began with an unusual but expected moment at the toss at the Dubai International Stadium.
Salman Ali Agha, the Pakistani captain, and Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, were both present in the middle.
The two captains did not shake hands before the game, creating an intense environment.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, with both teams fielding the identical playing XIs that had won their opening matches. India trounced UAE in their first outing, chasing down a modest 58-run mark in just 4.3 overs, significantly increasing their net run rate. Pakistan, on the other hand, thrashed Oman by 93 runs to make a strong start to their campaign.
With both teams entering the match unbeaten, the group-stage clash carries immense weight as the winner will not only secure crucial points but also move closer to sealing a place in the Super Fours. A defeat, meanwhile, would be a setback and create added pressure in the remaining fixture.
Beyond cricketing stakes, the fixture is laden with political overtones. Over the past decade, India and Pakistan have faced each other only in multinational and ICC tournaments, as bilateral cricket remains suspended. The backdrop of recent geopolitical tensions, particularly the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military escalations, has once again fueled debate about whether the two nations should continue meeting on the cricket field at all.
Sections of fans and political voices had urged India to boycott matches against Pakistan, but the Indian government cleared participation in multinational tournaments while keeping bilateral series on hold. Still, the controversy appears to have affected the mood in the Indian camp, with insiders reporting a somewhat subdued atmosphere among players in Dubai.
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