The India and Pakistan men’s T20 teams renew one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries in the 6th match of the 2025 Asia Cup, a Group A showdown at Dubai International Cricket Stadium that promises high stakes, explosive talent, and edge-of-the-seat drama. This article offers a comprehensive preview, including head-to-head stats, predicted playing XIs, key player performances, pitch insights, and expert predictions on who will triumph, drawn from verified sources like ESPNcricinfo, CricTracker, Al Jazeera, and The Economic Times. The match starts at 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM local), with the toss at 7:30 PM IST, and live streaming available on Sony Sports Network in India and Sony LIV app globally. Below, we break down the buildup, team form, and forecasts for today’s clash.
Match Highlights
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: India vs. Pakistan, 6th Match, Group A
- Date and Venue: September 14, 2025, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE
- Series Context: Group A (India 2-0 after 9-wicket win over UAE; Pakistan 1-0 after 93-run win over Oman)
- Head-to-Head in T20Is: India leads 10-3 (out of 13 matches since 2007)
- Expert Prediction Consensus: India favored to win (65-74% probability), but Pakistan’s bowling could spring a surprise on a spin-friendly pitch
Match Overview: India vs. Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025
India and Pakistan enter this blockbuster on winning notes in the Asia Cup 2025, but the context couldn’t be more charged. India, the defending T20 World Cup champions, crushed hosts UAE by 9 wickets in their opener, chasing 58 in just 4.3 overs thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s explosive start and Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/7 haul. Pakistan, rebuilding under captain Salman Agha after a transitional phase post-T20 World Cup 2024, hammered Oman by 93 runs, posting 160/7 led by Mohammad Haris’s 66 off 43. This is their first T20I meeting since India’s 6-run thriller win at the 2024 T20 World Cup, and only the third in Asia Cup T20 history (India leads 2-1). With potential rematches in Super Fours (September 21) and the final (September 28), a win here could define Group A supremacy. Weather forecast: Clear skies, 32°C, low humidity—ideal for a full 40-over contest.
Head-to-Head Analysis
India and Pakistan have clashed 13 times in T20Is since 2007, with India dominating 10-3 (including one bowl-out win). In Asia Cup T20 matches specifically, India leads 2-1. Over the last five T20Is (2020-2025), India holds a 3-2 edge. Key stats:
| Category | India Wins | Pakistan Wins | Highest Team Score (India) | Highest Team Score (Pakistan) | Average 1st Innings Score |
| T20Is (Overall) | 10 | 3 | 192/3 (2022) | 182/5 (2022) | 160 |
| Asia Cup T20 | 2 | 1 | 181/7 (2022) | 159/8 (2022) | 170 |
| Last 5 T20Is | 3 | 2 | 119 (2024) | 182/5 (2022) | 155 |
India’s batting has been the edge, with Virat Kohli’s 492 runs at 70.28 average the highest in T20Is vs. Pakistan (though retired; Suryakumar Yadav now leads with 120+ runs). Hardik Pandya tops bowling with 13 wickets at 12.00 economy. Pakistan’s pacers (Shaheen Afridi: 8 wickets) thrive in Dubai (2 of 3 wins here), but India’s spin duo (Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel) could exploit the slow pitch. Recent form favors India (WWWLW in last 5 T20Is), while Pakistan is WWWLW.
Predicted Playing XIs and Key Matchups
India Predicted XI (Captain: Suryakumar Yadav; WK: Sanju Samson): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan Predicted XI (Captain: Salman Agha; WK: Mohammad Haris): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed/Sufiyan Muqeem.
Key Matchups:
- Abhishek Sharma vs. Shaheen Afridi: Abhishek’s 193.50 strike rate vs. Shaheen’s new-ball swing (8 T20I wickets vs. India) could define the powerplay.
- Suryakumar Yadav vs. Haris Rauf: SKY’s 360° shots (120+ runs vs. Pak) against Rauf’s 150kph heat.
- Jasprit Bumrah vs. Saim Ayub: Bumrah’s lethal yorkers (post-injury return) vs. Ayub’s aggressive opening (155 runs in UAE tri-series).
- Kuldeep Yadav vs. Mohammad Haris: Kuldeep’s middle-overs guile (4/7 vs. UAE) vs. Haris’s 66 off 43 vs. Oman.
Pitch Report: Dubai’s surface favors spin (average 1st innings: 170; run rate 7.7 over last 36 T20s), with early seam movement for pacers like Bumrah and Afridi. Dew could aid chasing, so batting second might be ideal (teams batting second win 60% here).
Expert Predictions: Who Will Triumph Today?
Experts overwhelmingly favor India (65-74% win probability), citing their depth, form (WWWLW), and historical edge (10-3 in T20Is). Pakistan (WWWLW) relies on unpredictability and pacers (Afridi, Rauf), but lacks batting firepower without Babar Azam and Rizwan.
| Expert/Source | Prediction | Key Reason |
| CricTracker | India to win | India’s consistency and fearless lineup; Bumrah’s new-ball threat. |
| OCB Scores | India (65% win probability) | India’s depth, venue record (6/8 wins); Pakistan’s poor H2H (2/9 losses). |
| ProBatsman [web:11, web:23] | India (74% win probability) | Superior form, balance; Pakistan’s transitional phase. |
| Sporting News | India to win | India’s balanced XI, proven pressure handling; odds 1.35 vs. Pakistan 3.22. |
| Economic Times | India favored (80-20 split) | Historical edge (10-3 T20Is); Pakistan’s surprises possible but unlikely. |
| News18 | India to win | Full-strength India vs. Pakistan’s missing top batters; odds favor India. |
Consensus: India triumphs, but watch for Pakistan’s pace on a turning track—expect a close chase if India bats first.
Team Form and Key Players
India (Form: WWWLW; Avg. Score: 185 in last 5 T20Is): Undefeated T20 World Cup 2024 winners, India started Asia Cup with a record 9-wicket rout of UAE (58 chased in 4.3 overs). Standouts: Abhishek Sharma (strike rate 193.50, 2 T20I tons), Jasprit Bumrah (post-injury lethal), Kuldeep Yadav (4/7 vs. UAE). Weakness: Middle-order untested vs. quality pace.
Pakistan (Form: WWWLW; Avg. Score: 160 in last 5 T20Is): Fresh off UAE tri-series win, Pakistan crushed Oman by 93 runs (160/7; Haris 66 off 43). Standouts: Shaheen Afridi (8 wickets vs. India), Saim Ayub (155 runs in tri-series), Sufiyan Muqeem (25 wickets in 17 T20Is). Weakness: Batting fragility without Babar/Rizwan (transitional squad).
Injury and Squad Notes
India: Full strength; no major injuries. Suryakumar Yadav captains a young side post-Rohit/Virat retirement; Arshdeep Singh rested, Harshit Rana in.
Pakistan: Transitional—Babar Azam, Rizwan omitted for poor T20 form; Salman Agha captains youth-experience mix. No injuries reported; Abrar Ahmed or Sufiyan Muqeem for spin.
Conclusion
India vs. Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 is more than a match—it’s a subcontinental spectacle blending new talent with old rivalries, amid geopolitical tensions post-Pahalgam. Experts predict an India triumph (65-74% odds), powered by Abhishek Sharma’s aggression, Bumrah’s swing, and Kuldeep’s spin on Dubai’s turning track, but Pakistan’s pacers (Afridi, Rauf) could force a thriller if dew aids chasing. With India’s 10-3 T20I edge and recent 3-2 form, expect the Men in Blue to prevail, but don’t count out a Pakistan upset in this 14th meeting. Tune in for live updates on Sony LIV or Star Sports. For more previews, stats, and analysis, visit ESPNcricinfo, CricTracker, or Al Jazeera.
