Dubai (2025): Cricket is more than a sport in Asia; it is a stage where nations prove who is king. The Asia Cup is the ultimate battle, and no team has dominated it like India. With eight titles, India holds the record for the most championships. But this year, Pakistan looks determined to change history.
Pakistan Eyes India’s Record
The two arch-rivals could face each other up to three times in this tournament. Pakistan has prepared with a clear plan: find every way to beat India. Unlike India, which is returning after a month-long break, Pakistan enters the Asia Cup with momentum.
The team recently played a tri-series in the UAE, winning the title after strong perf
ormances against Afghanistan and the UAE. This experience has given
Pakistan an edge on the slow, spin-friendly pitches of the Emirates.
Why the UAE Pitches Matter
The pitches in Dubai and Sharjah are not easy for batting. Even small targets of 130–140 runs can feel impossible to chase. Pakistan already proved this in the tri-series final, scoring 141 runs and then bowling out Afghanistan to win by 66 runs.
Captain Salman Ali Agha admitted that runs on these pitches are tough to get, but he praised his squad for adapting well. He highlighted Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round performance, saying:
“Nawaz has been excellent since his return. I can depend on him in batting and bowling. Our strategy worked well, and we are ready for the Asia Cup.”
Mohammad Nawaz 5-19 (4.0) vs Afghanistan | UAE Tri-Series Final, 2025 – Sharjah | Ball By Ball Highlights#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvAFG | @mnawaz94 pic.twitter.com/PIYarP4mWu
— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) September 7, 2025
India’s Preparation Lag
On the other side, Team India faces a challenge. Most players have not played since the IPL and are entering the Asia Cup with less match practice. The team began training only a week before arriving in Dubai, organising warm-up matches against Oman and the UAE.
While these games may help India find form, Pakistan’s players already understand the UAE conditions better. Their familiarity with spin-friendly pitches gives them confidence heading into the Super Four stage.
Battle for Supremacy
The Asia Cup begins tomorrow and runs until September 27, featuring defending champions India alongside Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Hong Kong, and the UAE.
With India chasing a ninth title and Pakistan aiming to break India’s dominance, this tournament promises high drama. The soft UAE pitches, the Pakistan team’s sharp preparation, and the intense rivalry set the stage for one of the most exciting Asia Cup editions yet.