India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Highlights: ‘Are umpire se toh mil le’- Gautam Gambhir’s remark to Team India players reignites handshake debate

Rajkumar Sharma, childhood coach of Virat Kohli, expressed confidence ahead of India’s Super Four clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, saying, “The Indian team is in very good form, and the way our batting is, we will surely dominate in the match… The Pakistan team should focus on cricket rather than making an issue of Indian players not shaking hands with them.”

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will rely on stars like Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah, while Pakistan will need their spinners and openers like Saim Ayub to counter India’s strong batting. Execution will be key.

Against UAE, Pakistan recalled Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah, leaving out Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf. That balance is expected to continue. Eyes will be on Saim Ayub, on a hat-trick of ducks, and Hasan Nawaz, who needs runs.

After giving all batters and part-timers a run against Oman, India are set to revert to full strength, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy. Varun was among the few to train on match eve, practicing his scrambled seam legbreaks and googlies against a set of stumps. The others at the training were Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who bowled and batted and will be a key figure once again.

“If we talk about rivalry [with Pakistan], I don’t know what kind of rivalry you are talking about. After going on the ground, I feel that the stadium is full. And when the stadium is full, I tell my team and everyone that it is time for entertainment. So many people have come to watch the match, so you have to entertain everyone,” said Suryakumar Yadav, India captain.

Shaheen Afridi has been Pakistan’s standout power hitter in the Asia Cup, smashing 6 of the team’s 15 sixes so far in the tournament.

In the three matches India have played so far in the Asia Cup, Abhishek Sharma has faced 44 balls and scored a blistering 99 runs at an incredible strike rate of 225, providing his team with explosive starts.

Pakistan have lost 22 wickets while attempting attacking shots, the most by any team in the Asia Cup 2025 so far. Their aggressive batting strategy has produced moments of brilliance but also left them vulnerable, especially against quality Indian bowlers. This tendency to go for big shots could play a key role in their Super Four clash against India in Dubai.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to clash in their first Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach, Kapil Pandey, expressed confidence in India, saying, “Our team is very strong. They have defeated Pakistan in the earlier match, so their morale is high… It’s time that Kuldeep should pick five wickets, and even if he doesn’t, he should bowl well and take the main wickets and make the team proud.” India’s bowling attack, led by Bumrah and Kuldeep, aims to exploit Pakistan’s batting weaknesses, while the batting unit looks to maintain its dominant form in the tournament.

Despite repeated demands from Pakistan, match referee Andy Pycroft will return to oversee Sunday’s high-voltage India-Pakistan clash. The veteran official, with over 100 Tests to his name, has a history of managing high-profile controversies, including Steve Smith’s ball-tampering scandal, Virat Kohli’s shoulder barge on Sam Konstas, and Jos Buttler’s on-field tirade against Vernon Philander. His presence adds another layer of attention to the Super 4 encounter, given the ongoing tensions between the two cricketing giants.

The previous Super 4 encounter between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup took place in 2023, during the ODI format. India batted first and dominated despite rain interruptions. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul set India’s highest-ever Asia Cup partnership, unbeaten on 233 runs off 194 balls. Kohli scored 122* off 94, while Rahul made 111* off 106. India posted a massive 356/5, leaving Pakistan with an improbable chase. Pakistan fell dramatically short, bundled out for 128, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 5/25 in just eight overs, highlighting India’s dominance in the fixture.

Kuldeep Yadav’s record against Pakistan will be key once again. Fakhar Zaman, with 30 runs and three dismissals in 35 balls, and Salman Ali Agha, with six runs and two dismissals in 12 balls, have both struggled against the left-arm spinner across formats. His ability to pick wickets consistently could once again tilt the balance in India’s favor in the Super Four clash.

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma struggled against spin in Abu Dhabi, going 22 balls without hitting a boundary. Their upcoming face-off with Pakistan legspinner Abrar Ahmed will be crucial, as he has bowled 70 balls in this Asia Cup while conceding just two boundaries. How the Indian duo handles this challenge could play a pivotal role in setting a strong total for their team.

Axar Patel, who had struck his head while fielding in Abu Dhabi, is understood to be fit and available for selection. The Indian team has not called in any replacement, indicating confidence in his recovery ahead of the crucial Super Fours clash against Pakistan.

After last Sunday’s loss to India, Pakistan made two changes against UAE, introducing Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah, a frontline fast bowler and specialist batter, in place of Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf, a wristspinner and seam-bowling all-rounder. Each player offers unique skills, and Pakistan’s team management faces a key decision on which combination to field for the upcoming Super Fours clash against India. The choices made could determine how effectively Pakistan counters India’s strong batting and spin attack at the Dubai International Stadium.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson have devised strategies to tackle India’s spin threat in Sunday’s Super Fours Asia Cup clash in Dubai. After succumbing to Kuldeep Yadav’s 3/18 in the group stage, Pakistan look to strengthen their middle order with Faheem Ashraf’s return and Hussain Talat’s debut in the ongoing tournament. Khushdil Shah and Hassan Nawaz may miss out. Off-field drama persists, with pre-match press conferences canceled and past handshake controversies unresolved. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met players and coach Hesson to finalise plans ahead of the high-stakes encounter at Dubai International Stadium.

Zero, 0, 0. Saim Ayub has impressed with the ball in this Asia Cup, but his batting has fallen flat. The opener has been dismissed three times while attempting aggressive shots early in his innings. This approach reflects Pakistan’s strategy of using him to set a high-intent tone, but the string of low scores highlights the risk of such aggression. How Ayub and Pakistan respond in upcoming games could indicate how well the team has adapted to this fearless, high-risk batting strategy.

The India-Pakistan T20I clashes have produced some standout batting performances over the years. Here are the top run-getters:

Virat Kohli (India) – In 11 matches, Kohli has amassed 492 runs at an average of 70.28, with a highest score of 82*.

Md Rizwan (Pakistan) – Across 5 games, Rizwan has scored 228 runs at an average of 57, with a top score of 79*.

Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) – Malik has 164 runs in 9 matches, averaging 26, with a best of 57*.

Md Hafeez (Pakistan) – In 8 games, Hafeez has racked up 156 runs at an impressive average of 118.18, highest score 61.

Yuvraj Singh (India) – Yuvraj has 155 runs in 8 matches, averaging 25.83, with a top score of 72.

Three wickets in two games at an average of 15.66 and an economy rate of 6.71 are impressive by most standards. Yet for Jasprit Bumrah, these stats make him only India’s fourth-best bowler in this Asia Cup so far. The numbers don’t tell the full story, given the small sample size and unusual roles, such as bowling three overs in the powerplay. Regardless, as the tournament enters the Super Four stage, Bumrah remains one of the most likely players on either side to single-handedly change the course of a game.

Spin remains the key factor across the UAE, particularly in Dubai. India is likely to revert to a three-spinner strategy if Axar Patel is fit for the Super Four clash. Historically, chasing teams have enjoyed a clear advantage in Dubai, once winning 15 consecutive Full-Member T20Is. However, recent matches have been more balanced, with the last five contests producing three wins and two losses for the chasing side. According to Suryakumar Yadav, dew has been less of a factor than in the 2021 T20 World Cup, when toss outcomes heavily influenced results for India.

Axar Patel left the field during Oman’s innings on Friday after hitting his head while stumbling on a missed catch and did not return. The team management has not indicated that he will miss Sunday’s match, but if he is unavailable, India may need to adjust their three-spinner strategy used in all Dubai games and cope with reduced batting depth.

As India and Pakistan prepare to face each other in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla backed Suryakumar Yadav’s men to dominate. “India will win the match,” he said. The two sides last met in the group stage, where India won by seven wickets, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3/18. Off-field controversies, including the post-match handshake issue and Pakistan’s pre-match press conference cancellations, have added tension. While India stays focused on their ruthless cricket, Pakistan may use the drama as motivation to spring surprises in Dubai.

Hardik Pandya is just four wickets shy of claiming 100 wickets in T20Is, while Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf needs two more to reach 50. Both all-rounders have been key contributors for their teams, and these milestones could add extra motivation ahead of the high-voltage IND vs PAK clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage.

Sanju Samson needs just 83 more runs to become the 12th Indian batter to reach 1000 runs in T20 Internationals. The Rajasthan Royals star has been in consistent form, and fans will be keeping a close eye on his progress during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash. Achieving this milestone would place him among India’s elite T20I performers and add another feather to his growing international career.

India hold a strong record against Pakistan in T20 Internationals, winning 11 out of 14 encounters, including a tie at the 2007 T20 World Cup that they claimed via a bowl-out.

India WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)

Pakistan WLWWW

Kuldeep Yadav has been exceptional in the Asia Cup 2025, claiming eight wickets in three matches at an astonishing average of 6. His match-winning performance against Pakistan in the group stage earned him the Player of the Match award. With his lethal left-arm spin, Kuldeep will be the key bowler to watch in Sunday’s Super Four clash.

Abhishek Sharma has been the standout performer for India in the 2025 Asia Cup, earning the tag of wrecker-in-chief. The southpaw has scored 99 runs in three innings at an astonishing average of 225. Known for providing explosive starts, Sharma has consistently set the tone for India’s batting in all three matches so far. Fans will be keen to see if he can maintain his red-hot form and give India a strong start against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super Four clash.

Ranchi MP and MoS Defence Sanjay Seth expressed full confidence in Team India ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. “Is there any doubt? India’s victory is certain. India’s victory saga will be written even today…The Indian team is fit and has great strength…Today, the Indian team will do what India wants from them to defeat Pakistan,” Seth told ANI during a cyclothon under the “Sansad Khel Mahotsav.”

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh also backed India, saying, “India is playing well in the Asia Cup. What happened in the last match will be repeated this time. They will play well and win. Everyone is hopeful.” India had earlier defeated Pakistan comfortably in the first clash, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3/18. Pakistan’s spin attack, including Mohammed Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed, will aim to challenge India, while Jasprit Bumrah remains a constant threat.

Cricket fever gripped Varanasi as fans performed Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat ahead of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai on Sunday. “India and Pakistan are arch rivals – be it in the field of sports or as neighbouring countries…India will win and Pakistan will lose,” Rajesh Shukla told ANI. People from Prayagraj also offered prayers for Team India’s victory. Ahead of the game, skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence, saying, “We will take one game at a time, but yeah, whoever plays well will win the game.” India have won all three group stage matches so far.

As India and Pakistan prepare to face each other in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash in Dubai on Sunday, off-field tensions remain high. MMA fighter Ishika Thite commented, “There is always a great enthusiasm for India vs Pakistan matches. I am not watching it much this year, in light of the attack (Pahalgam). But sport is sport, so keep supporting.” The previous encounter saw India win comfortably, but the match was marred by the Men in Blue not shaking hands with Pakistan. PCB filed complaints against referee Andy Pycroft, claiming code violations, while ICC clarified he was merely relaying instructions.