India and Pakistan will renew cricket’s fiercest rivalry at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with both history and present form shaping the buildup to the gameThe clash, which is scheduled to commence at 8:00PM IST has attracted a lot of criticism from politicians, fans and former players . With calls for a boycott only intensifying, the match brings a tense and charged atmosphere well ahead of the first ball being bowled.
Asia Cup form
Suryakumar Yadav’s India enter Sunday’s contest as firm favourites. Their aggressive batting approach has been a highlight, shown by a thumping win in the UAE game where they chased down 58 in just 4.3 overs. The likes of Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav continue to impose themselves from ball one, while Shubman Gill’s return to the format has added one more layer of firepower to the opening pair. With Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in the middle order, India boast batting prowess across positions.The bowling unit also starred greatly in the opener. Kuldeep’s and Varun Chakravarthy have been difficult to play so far, and India’s spin options appear equipped for the task. On the other side, Pakistan’s spin attack of Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem also stands tall.
Overall head-to-head record
In Asia Cup matches, India have held the edge. In 18 meetings so far, India lead 10–6, with two matches ending without a result. The balance is similar across formats: India’s batting greats and composure under pressure have often tilted contests in their favour, particularly in T20Is. Since the introduction of the T20 Asia Cup in 2016, all three India–Pakistan games have been staged in Dubai. India won by five wickets in both 2016 and 2022, while Pakistan secured a five-wicket win in the 2022 Super 4 stage. Yet Pakistan’s role in the rivalry is not at all passive. One of their most dramatic victories came in the 2014 Asia Cup at Mirpur, when Shahid Afridi scripted a last-over heist. Chasing 246, Pakistan looked in deep trouble before Afridi’s unbeaten 34 off 18 balls turned the match. With nine needed in the final over, he smashed Ravichandran Ashwin for back-to-back sixes, sealing a one-wicket win with two deliveries to spare. The image of Afridi’s raised arms after the finish remains one of the defining visuals of Indo-Pak cricket.
Can Pakistan challenge the Men in Blue?
Pakistan is in a transitional phase, but have displayed flashes of promise but also shown inconsistency. While their bowlers are capable of breakthroughs, their batters will be tested against India’s mix of spin and pace.Ahead of the game, former pacer and Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar made a bold statement that Pakistan will give India a run for their money, all while acknowledging that India will look to dominate and “hammer you down” from the very start.
Poll
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With form on their side and historical numbers also in their favour, India enter the Asia Cup showdown with a lot of momentum and reputation. But as Afridi’s 2014 heroics showed, Pakistan’s ability to spring an upset remains a constant threat. Even more so in cricket’s most emotionally charged fixture.