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DUBAI: The biggest rivalry in world cricket returns as India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The game comes with added spice as it will be the first meeting between the two neighbours since the cross-border tensions earlier this year, heightening the stakes even further.
India hold the edge historically, with 10 wins in 19 Asia Cup encounters, while Pakistan have won six, and three ended without result. In the T20I Asia Cup, India lead 2-1.
On paper, Suryakumar Yadav’s side look favourites, but when it comes to India-Pakistan contests, unpredictability is the norm.
Despite the absence of big names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan still possess enough firepower to hurt India on their day.
Here are five Pakistani players who could tilt the balance.
Big matches and Fakhar Zaman often go hand in hand. His match-winning hundred in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India remains fresh in memory.
While his T20I record against India is modest, just 38 runs in three innings, Fakhar has the ability to flip a game in one burst of form. India know well that if he gets going, he can be destructive.
Saim Ayub would be playing his first India clash, a true test of temperament at the highest stage.
With 318 runs in 14 innings this year at a strike rate of 134.17, Saim has shown flashes of brilliance.
He hasn’t set T20Is alight yet, but this is the kind of occasion where careers are defined. If he finds rhythm, India’s attack could be in trouble.
Just months ago, Mohammad Nawaz wasn’t in Pakistan’s plans, struggling for form and consistency.
But since returning to the side after Shadab Khan’s injury, he has been outstanding, 20 wickets in 11 games at an average of 10.90, including a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in the same match against Afghanistan.
Nawaz also has a history against India. In the 2022 T20 Asia Cup, he first rattled them with 3-33 in the group stage, including key wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and then turned match-winner in the Super Four with a blistering 42 off 20. On current form, he can be a game-changer.
Few Indian batters need reminding of what Shaheen Afridi can do with the new ball. His spell in the 2021 T20 World Cup, dismissing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and later Virat Kohli, is etched in Indo-Pak cricketing folklore.
If conditions offer him any swing, Shaheen remains Pakistan’s biggest weapon and India’s biggest worry.
Mercurial but dangerous, Haris Rauf is the kind of bowler who can leak runs or rip through a line-up.
Against India, he has already taken seven T20I wickets in five matches. If his pace and yorkers click, he could easily tilt the contest Pakistan’s way. India will be wary of underestimating him.
While India are heavy favourites heading into Sunday’s blockbuster, Pakistan’s unpredictability means they can never be written off. With players like Fakhar, Saim, Nawaz, Shaheen, and Haris in their ranks, a surprise is never out of the question.
READ: Former captain picks key players for Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 clash against India
