India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 Clash: Can PAK avenge group stage loss amid handshake drama?

Kick-off is at 8:00 PM IST (14:30 GMT), with live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports in India. This high-stakes T20I rematch follows India's dominant seven-wicket group-stage win on September 14, but off-field tensions sparked by the infamous no-handshake incident threaten to overshadow the cricket.

The handshake row exploded post-match, with Pakistan's Cricket Board demanding match referee Andy Pycroft's suspension for alleged bias. Despite the uproar, the ICC confirmed Pycroft's return for tonight's game, prompting Pakistan to cancel their pre-match press conference in retaliation. India, sticking to their no-handshake policy, enters as favorites, but Pakistan views this as a "revenge match," fueled by fans chanting provocative slogans like "6-0" during practice referencing a May 2025 aerial skirmish. Head-to-head in Dubai T20Is stands even, adding unpredictability.

Team India boasts depth, with opener Abhishek Sharma's explosive 99 runs in three games anchoring the top order. Shubman Gill, vice-captain with just 35 runs, risks being benched for Sanju Samson, who smashed 56 in his lone innings potentially shifting Samson to No. 3. Suryakumar at No. 3 promises fireworks, backed by Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel (recovering from a head injury but cleared by coach T Dilip), and Varun Chakravarthy will exploit Dubai's slow, spin-friendly pitches, where chasing sides have won three of the last five full-member T20Is. Jasprit Bumrah's return bolsters the attack after resting against Oman in India's 250th T20I win.

Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, struggles with batting fragility against spin opener Saim Ayub's back-to-back ducks drawing ridicule despite his bowling cameos. Shaheen Shah Afridi's all-round threat and Fakhar Zaman's flair offer hope, while Haris Rauf likely replaces Sufiyan Muqeem post his UAE heroics. Expected XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Weather poses challenges: Afternoon heat hits 39°C (feels like 44°C), dropping to 30°C at night with high humidity (60-70%) and unhealthy air quality, testing endurance in sticky conditions. No rain expected, ensuring a full game on a pitch favoring scores around 160-180.

India eyes a Super 4 sweep to secure the final on September 28, potentially against Pakistan again. Will the Men in Green unleash chaos, or will India's spin web prevail? Cricket's fiercest duel promises drama on and off the field.