KARACHI:
Pakistan and India are set to face each other in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 14. The two teams are also likely to clash again in the Super four stage on September 21.
If both sides qualify for the final, the ultimate showdown would take place on September 28.
Interestingly, Pakistan and India have never faced each other in an Asia Cup final, making this year’s tournament a rare opportunity for fans to witness such a historic encounter. For now, the focus will be on the Super 4 stage, where another high-voltage contest is expected.
This match will also mark the first clash between the two nations since the political dispute in May 2025, which led to the postponement of the domestic leagues in both countries.
Life after Kohli and Rohit
For the first time since 2008, India will play Pakistan without Virat Kohli. Kohli was the heartbeat of this rivalry, producing match-winning knocks time and again. With 492 runs in just 11 T20I encounters against Pakistan, his dominance is unmatched. From his famous 82* at Melbourne in 2022, the 55* at Eden Gardens in the 2016 World Cup, or the 49 in the same year’s Asia Cup, to his 78* in the 2012 World Cup, Kohli consistently broke Pakistan’s hearts. He was named Player of the Match in most of these encounters.
Now, with Kohli and Rohit Sharma both retired after leading India to the 2024 World Cup title, India will surely miss their experience.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will also field a relatively inexperienced side with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan sidelined from T20Is after a dip in form since the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan crashed out before the Super 8 stage.
This sets the stage for a new era of rivalry—without the seasoned stars who respected and praised each other, and with fresh faces eager to make their mark.
Key players to watch
For India, Hardik Pandya remains the standout figure. With the ability to win games with both bat and ball, he has been India’s most impactful performer against Pakistan after Kohli.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will rely on Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been in fierce form since his return to the national side. In the batting department, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, and Hasan Nawaz will be crucial, especially in spin-friendly conditions.
Head-to-Head in T20Is
India have dominated Pakistan in T20Is, winning 10 out of 13 matches. Pakistan’s three victories came in 2012, 2021, and 2022—two of them under Babar Azam’s captaincy, including the iconic 10-wicket win at Dubai in the 2021 World Cup.
The rivalry has grown even more intense since 2021, with matches often going down to the wire. Pakistan will still be haunted by narrow defeats in recent years.
In the 2024 World Cup, they lost while chasing just 120 after requiring 47 off 47 balls with eight wickets in hand.
In the previous T20 World Cup, they failed to defend 48 off 18, as Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 snatched the game for India.
In the 2022 Asia Cup, Pakistan couldn’t defend 21 runs off 12 balls against their arch-rivals in the group stage match. However, they bounced back to win the Super Four clash between the two sides by 5 wickets on the second-last ball.
The bigger picture
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry dates back to 1952, shortly after partition. Over time, matches have often mirrored the tense political climate between the two nations, making every contest more than just a game.
Unlike ICC tournaments, the Asia Cup adds a regional flavor to this rivalry. Both teams aim to assert dominance in Asia, and the tournament has given fans unforgettable moments: Kohli’s 183 in Mirpur (2012) and Shahid Afridi’s last-over sixes against India in 2014 being two of the most iconic finishes.
Since bilateral series have been suspended for years, Asia Cup and ICC events remain the only platforms for these two cricketing giants to meet. This rarity makes every clash feel like a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
From packed stadiums in Dubai, Melbourne, Colombo, and Dhaka to millions glued to screens across the globe, the passion is unmatched. In the digital age, the rivalry explodes on social media, where memes, chants, and hashtags trend worldwide on match days.
For players, it’s about handling immense pressure. For fans, it’s about national pride. And for the sport itself, it is the ultimate showcase of drama, skill, and passion. The Asia Cup ensures that the India-Pakistan rivalry remains one of cricket’s greatest spectacles—a battle where the team that keeps its nerve will always emerge victorious.
