ISLAMABAD: As the Asia Cup 2025 heats up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), anticipation is reaching fever pitch for the much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, set to take place this Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Though India is the official host of the 17th edition of the tournament, ongoing political tensions between the two nations have once again pushed their matches to neutral venues. As a result, both teams will face off on UAE soil, a familiar setting for some of cricket’s most intense modern rivalries.
Before the marquee match, Pakistan will open their Asia Cup campaign against Oman, also at the Dubai stadium.
Organizers say demand for tickets has been overwhelming, with 90% of seats already sold and only a limited number of premium tickets remaining. Prices range from AED 750 [$202] to AED 3,500 [$953]. A fresh sales window was opened late Thursday to accommodate the surge in demand, offering fans one last shot to witness the historic rivalry live. The stadium, according to ESPNcricinfo, has a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators.
Pakistan’s developing batting unit
Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson addressed concerns about the team's batting consistency, pushing back on criticism by highlighting their recent performance.
“I’m not quite sure where the concerns are coming from,” Hesson said, referencing their 70-run win over Afghanistan in the tri-series final. “It’s very much a developing batting lineup. There are players who can win games on their day, but they just don’t have as many good days as you'd like at the moment.”
Still, Hesson emphasized the collective strength of the batting unit: “As a group, we’ve gotten the job done.”
India’s Kapil Dev urges calm amid rivalry hype
Legendary Indian captain and 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev weighed in on the looming India-Pakistan fixture, urging fans and media to avoid overhyping the match and let players focus on their performance.
“Just go and win. The players should focus on playing. The government will do its job, and the players should do theirs,” he told reporters.
Kapil praised India's dominant nine-wicket victory over UAE, where the team bowled out the opposition for just 57 runs, calling it an “impressive win” and expressing hope they could “bring the trophy home.”
Tournament format and what’s next
India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE make up Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong are in Group B.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, with the final set for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
As Sunday’s high-stakes encounter draws near, fans across the globe are bracing for another classic chapter in one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. A game that goes well beyond the scoreboard.