Who holds the edge in the India vs Pakistan contest? Checkout the match prediction for Asia Cup 2025 clash
While the outrage surrounding the Asia Cup fixture continues, the Men in Blue have their task cut out. In their second group-stage match at the Asia Cup 2025, India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. The India vs Pakistan clash is touted as the most-awaited contest in the ongoing edition of the tournament. With Group A consisting of UAE and Oman along with the fierce neighbours, the upcoming encounter is likely the only one poised to present a level contest. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, opened its campaign with a dominant nine-wicket win over UAE. Pakistan, meanwhile, also began with a victory, beating Oman by 93 runs before the proceedings moved to the all-important clash
India vs Pakistan: Who is the favorite to win the Asia Cup 2025 clash?
While the legacy of the arch-rivalry portrays India and Pakistan as equals, the Men in Blue are the favorites to win the upcoming contest. The reigning T20 World Cup champions have an enviable track record against the seventh-ranked T20I team in recent years. Overall, India have won 10 out of the 13 T20I matches played against Pakistan, with the latter managing only three victories. Their last meeting in the format came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India won the low-scoring game by 6 runs.
As for the team combination, the Men in Blue have fielded the perfect balance of experience and young explosiveness in their lineup for the Asia Cup 2025. The India vs UAE campaign opener saw the favorites introduce a spin-heavy attack in the UAE. Jasprit Bumrah was the sole specialist pacer, with Arshdeep Singh left out of the playing XI. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav led the charge with a four-wicket haul, bowling alongside Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel.
A day prior to the India vs Pakistan match, India’s assistant coach confirmed that the playing XI is likely to remain unchanged. Thus, the Men in Green will gear up to tackle India’s lethal spin trap on the Dubai turf. Pakistan, meanwhile, have also adopted a similar attack for the tournament. Their first match saw the spinners take charge against Oman, as Saim Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem’s spells bundled out the associate nation for a paltry 67.
However, Pakistan’s batting order showed a significant window for improvement. The slow pitch troubled the lineup against Oman, as opener Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha recorded ducks. Only Mohammad Haris shone with his half-century, lifting his team’s total to a par score of 140. Against India, the challenge will be even greater, and the chances of the order crumbling in Dubai seem highly possible.
As for the Indian batting order, the batsmen are yet to showcase their full potential in the tournament. Opting to bowl first in the campaign opener, India had an easy task in the chase against UAE. Facing a target of just 58 runs, the Men in Blue wrapped up the proceedings within 5 overs. The combination is anticipated to be the same, meaning that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma will open. With Abhishek's mastery against spin and the youngster's ability to go big right from the word go, India has a potent arsenal to challenge Pakistan's spin web, an element that has been regarded as the key behind their recent success.
The lineup ahead consists of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. Pandya is no stranger to the stage, unlike Tilak and Abhishek. The pace all-rounder has a proven record of dominance against the Men in Green. Even if Pakistan manage a breakthrough against the top order, Pandya and SKY’s experience could prove enough to bury the arch-rivals in Dubai.
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
