Poonam Nath

Asia Cup 2025: Amid Boycott row, India to play against Pakistan today in Group A game in Dubai

Digital Desk: The biggest known rivalry, India and Pakistan, are to play in cricket's T20 Asia Cup in 2025, one of the sport's most intense and popular rival contenders both in games and politics, to face each other today.

On Sunday, the Indian men's cricket team will play their second Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against bitter rivals Pakistan.

Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still the tournament's official host, India was supposed to host it according to the hosting rights schedule. However, because of the recent conflict between India and Pakistan following the vicious terror attack at Pahalgam, the tournament is being held in the United Arab Emirates.

Ten Doeschate, a junior coaching staff member, was dispatched by the Indian team management to allay worries about possible enquiries concerning head coach Gautam Gambhir's previous position. According to Doeschate, players are aware of the feelings and sentiments of the public, but their main goal is to play cricket in accordance with government regulations.

Following directives from the government and BCCI, he placed a strong emphasis on keeping politics and sports apart. Gambhir's advice to focus on things that can be controlled, like cricket, rather than outside factors was also communicated by Doeschate.

India, the current world and continental champions, is the top men's T20I cricket team in the world. With eight titles under their belt, they are also the most successful team in Asia Cup history.

Indian cricket playing squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

Pakistan cricket playing squad: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim