DUBAI: The world will grind to a halt once again tonight as Pakistan and India square off in the 2025 Asia Cup, this time in the Super Fours. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host centre stage again as the two teams clash with whiffs of the aftermath of their last meeting still lingering.
In a contest that could so easily have replicated the 1986 or 1990-91 variants, when political enmity had kept one side at arm’s length, tonight’s encounter is a reminder that cricket somehow continues to bring Pakistan and India onto the same stage, even if handshakes and match referees are still contentious.
India comes into the Super Fours match as massive favourites, having swept aside Pakistan last Sunday and run over Oman in a low-key affair on Friday. But Pakistan, riding a morale-boosting victory against UAE, will be hoping the slate has been finally cleansed.
There are signs of vulnerability in India’s camp. Their batters struggled for fluency against Oman’s left-arm swing, and Pakistan’s expected pace attack will be hoping to exploit that weakness.
The pitch in Dubai is once again expected to favour chasing, something Pakistan will be hoping to take advantage of after ignoring it last week.
India’s depth is still intimidating, but Pakistan’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, excels in low-scoring games. If their opening batsmen can get into a rhythm, the Green Shirts might turn the tables.
PTV Sports will telecast the match live in Pakistan. For streaming, viewers can catch it through Tamasha and Myco on the following links.
| Platform | iOS | Play Store | Desktop/Web |
| Myco | LINK | LINK | LINK |
| Tamasha | LINK | LINK | LINK |
| Country/Region | TV Channels | Streaming Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network | Sony Liv app/website |
| Sri Lanka | Sirasa TV, TV-1 | Dialog ViU app |
| Bangladesh | Gazi TV | Toffee, Tapmad |
| USA | Willow TV | – |
| Australia | – | Kayo Sports, Foxtel |
| UAE & MENA | CricLife, CricLife Max | StarzPlay |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports via Sky, BT, EE, Virgin Media | discovery+ app |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport digital streaming |
As the lights come on in Dubai, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For India, it’s about continuing to dominate. For Pakistan, it’s about redemption. And for fans around the world, it’s another installment in cricket’s most storied, and perhaps most contentious, rivalry.
The time for dissension is past for now. It’s all about the action. Let the fireworks begin.
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