In the main match of the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan will continue their rivalry on September 14 in Dubai. This will be the second international match between the two countries this year. Their most recent confrontation took place at the same location during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which India won by a commanding six wickets in a group-stage match.
Tensions between the two nations have increased in the months since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. In light of this, former Pakistani captain Wasim Akram has urged both sides and their supporters to maintain composure and make sure the match stays within the bounds of cricket.
Like all prior Ind-Pak encounters, I have no doubt that they will be interesting. However, I’m hoping that the players and supporters will maintain their discipline and not go too far. Pakistani supporters share Indian patriotism and a desire for their team to succeed. The team who can handle pressure the best on the day will win, although India has been playing better lately and will start as the favourite, Akram told Telecom Asia Sport, as reported by India Today.
New guidelines detailing India’s stance on sporting relations with Pakistan were released last week by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Indian teams will continue to play against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments where Pakistan is a participant, but they will not go to or host Pakistan for bilateral series in accordance with the directive. This choice was made in order to protect India from a potential ban or the possibility of losing the ability to host such international series.
Since 2012, when Pakistan visited India for a two-match Twenty20 International and a three-match One-Day International series, the two nations have not played in a bilateral series in cricket. The tourists won the ODI series 2-1 and drew the T20I series 1-1. Since then, the only ICC competitions in which India and Pakistan have faced off are the Asia Cup, the Champions Trophy, the T20 World Cup, and the ODI World Cup.
“Fans throughout the world will be treated to a feast during this Asia Cup.
I hope that a Test series between India and Pakistan is played again. Fans on both sides would see a historic event, and it’s been too long,” Akram remarked.
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