In the Asia Cup 2025, the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is all set to take place in just a few hours at the Dubai International Stadium.
Ahead of the match, several fans and former players had expressed their disappointment. The reactions were triggered after the Pahalgam terror attack in the Kashmir region earlier this year.
Speaking on the clash, former Team India cricketer, Kedar Jadhav said, “I don`t know what will happen, but I have already said that, according to me, this match should not be played”.
Former India captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, has also raised his opinion on the clash by saying, “Looking at the current situation in the country, we shouldn’t be playing this match. Everyone is aware of the issues we are facing. And if we have to play, then we should play every sport — not just by picking and choosing”.
Several groups of fans have taken to social media and are stating that they won`t be switching on their television sets to watch the match.
Earlier, the government announced that the Indian athletes and teams will be allowed to participate in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. However, India will continue to abstain from participating in competitions in Pakistan and will not participate in any bilateral competition.
So far, both India and Pakistan have won their campaign-opening clashes in the Asia Cup 2025. Team India secured a victory by nine wickets against the UAE. On the other hand, the “Green Shirts” have registered a win against Oman by 93 runs.
They are now set to lock horns against each other in Dubai.
Asia Cup 2025, IND vs PAK: Squads
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025: Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
(With Agencies` Inputs)
