Cricket fans are buzzing as India and Pakistan prepare to battle it out once again in their inaugural Super Four stage match of the Asia Cup 2025, set to unfold in Dubai this Sunday. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has unequivocally thrown his support behind Suryakumar Yadav’s squad.
“India will win the match,” Shukla confidently declared to ANI, setting the tone for what promises to be a gripping contest.
The two cricketing giants previously locked horns in the group stage, where India emerged victorious with a commanding seven-wicket win.
This upcoming fixture marks their second showdown, following a period of heightened tensions sparked by the Pahalgam terror attack in April and subsequent Operation Sindoor by Indian Armed Forces in May. In their initial encounter, India showcased their dominance by successfully chasing down 128 runs for the loss of just three wickets. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer, earning the Player of the Match title with remarkable figures of 3/18, which restricted Pakistan to a total of 127/9.
However, the aftermath of that match stirred significant controversy. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube notably departed without engaging in the traditional post-match handshakes with the Pakistani team. Television footage even appeared to show the Indian team closing their dressing room door to Pakistan. The Indian captain later dedicated their victory to the armed forces and extended his support to the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
Pakistan’s response was swift and telling: they opted out of the post-match presentation, with coach Mike Hesson addressing the media in place of captain Salman Agha. The PCB subsequently lodged a formal complaint against match official Pycroft, citing breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC’s spirit of cricket laws.
Further escalating the drama, Pakistan canceled their pre-match press conference before their match in the UAE. The team remained secluded in their hotel, with the PCB allegedly threatening to withdraw from the tournament if Pycroft was not removed. After an hour-long delay and a crucial meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s leadership, the match eventually proceeded. Pakistan went on to secure a victory, sealing their qualification for the Super Four.
It was widely reported that Pycroft had only learned about the ‘no handshake’ protocol moments before the toss, having been informed by the ACC venue manager. He simply conveyed the message rather than originating the instruction. The PCB later issued a statement claiming Pycroft apologized during their meeting, a claim the ICC reportedly considered clarifying. Despite the raised concerns, the PCB released a video of the interaction, notably without audio.
These dramatic off-field incidents are expected to heavily influence both teams’ approaches to the highly anticipated rematch. India is anticipated to maintain its aggressive playing style, while Pakistan, known for its unpredictable nature in T20 Internationals, may harness these recent events as potent motivation to deliver an even stronger performance.