DUBAI: Pakistan and India will clash on Sunday (today) in a Group A match of the Asia Cup here.This will be the second time in six months that Pakistan and India face each other; previously, the two teams met in the Champions Trophy One-day International on February 23. India defeated Pakistan by six wickets.
Today, the match will begin at 7:30 pm Pakistan Standard Time. This is the first encounter between the arch rivals since the May military faceoff.Pakistan is counting on players like Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, and Mohammad Haris, while Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are considered India’s lethal weapons.
Both teams are in excellent form based on recent performances. India secured a nine-wicket victory over the UAE in their opening encounter of the Asia Cup. Pakistan outclassed Oman by 93 runs.The record between the two sides in the Asia Cup is also interesting. Both teams have clashed in T20I and ODI 19 times. India have won 10 matches, while Pakistan triumphed in six. Pakistan’s last win against India in the Asia Cup came in 2022.
India had been crowned Asian champions eight times, whereas Pakistan lifted the trophy twice.In T20 internationals, India and Pakistan have faced each other 13 times with former winning 10 encounters and the latter coming out on top in three.
In a press conference in Dubai on Saturday, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub said that the national team was excited for the big clash. “The Pakistan-India match has always been a big event. We have prepared for every match equally and we are ready,” he added.“If someone doesn’t perform well in a match, he can make up for it by winning another. We want everyone to contribute match by match to build a strong combination,” Saim continued.
