Asia Cup 2025: Who will win the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash?

The Asian derby is intensifying as arch-rivals prepare for the second round of their fierce battle. The Men in Blue have enjoyed a commanding run into the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s, completing the group stage unbeaten. Pakistan, meanwhile, had to toil through much of the campaign but still managed to prevail over the likes of Oman and the UAE in Group A. The Super 4s began with Bangladesh edging past Sri Lanka in a tense contest in Dubai. Attention now turns to the highly charged India vs. Pakistan clash. While India enter the encounter as the projected favorites, the match is expected to deliver high drama, with the ongoing handshake row providing a contentious backdrop to the contest.

Asia Cup: Men in Green to fight back, or is another one-sided India vs Pakistan clash looming?

The group-stage India vs Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025 highlighted that the Men in Green are not yet on par with their arch-rivals. Batting first, Pakistan managed to post 127 runs on the board, thanks to a resilient knock from Sahibzada Farhan and a spirited cameo by Shaheen Afridi. However, the side failed to exert any pressure on India, who chased down the target in just over 15 overs. The encounter, meanwhile, has dealt a significant blow to the Pakistan camp.

Embroiled in the handshake row, the Men in Green appear shaken and distracted in the tournament. The batting unit has struggled to find its rhythm, with Saim Ayub registering three ducks so far. Mohammad Haris struck a fifty in the campaign opener against Oman, but consistency has been absent. Captain Salman Ali Agha, too, has failed to produce a notable knock. While the bowling attack may be rated somewhat higher, it still lacks the edge to truly challenge the Men in Blue.

India have enjoyed a near-spotless run leading up to the Super 4s, registering dominant wins in Group A. The group-stage clash against Pakistan saw Abhishek Sharma take Afridi apart with an aggressive display, while Suryakumar Yadav emerged as the standout performer in the chase, anchoring the innings with a composed knock. In the bowling department, Pakistan were dismantled by a seamless three-wicket spell from Kuldeep Yadav. As the rematch approaches, the focus now shifts to whether India will field Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the final group-stage match against Oman.

Meanwhile, simmering in the background of the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash is a raging controversy. India has made its stance clear by refusing to shake hands with its rivals. The handshake row has intensified, with the PCB escalating the matter to the ICC and drawing match referee Andy Pycroft into the dispute. Pycroft, however, is still set to officiate the upcoming match, while Pakistan has continued its tirade by boycotting the pre-match press conference on the eve of the high-stakes contest.

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

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