The much-awaited marquee encounter of the Asia Cup 2025 group stage, IND vs PAK, is just one night’s sleep away.
Both teams have begun their Asia Cup campaign with thumping wins. Defending champions India blasted the UAE by nine wickets after bundling them out for just 57 runs. Pakistan batted first against Oman and recorded victory by a huge margin of 93 runs.
When and where is the India vs Pakistan match?
The high-intensity, high-stakes tussle between the archrivals will take place on Sunday, September 14, in Dubai, with two crucial points up for grabs.
The winner of the IND vs PAK match on Sunday will secure their place in the Super 4 round, while the losing side will be put in a must-win position in their last group game.
Many would bow down to the general belief that India will start the India vs Pakistan match as firm favorites. But the Men In Blue need to be wary of the threat a few Pakistan players can pose during their match. Let us see three Pakistani players who could take the game away from India.
IND vs PAK: 3 Pakistani Players Who India Should Be Worried About In Their Asia Cup Clash
Mohammad Haris
Pakistan have moved on from the conservative top-order of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, while Mohammad Haris, who has shuffled as an opener and No. 3 over the last few years, is the epitome of Pakistan’s newly branded aggressive approach.
Fans would remember his ballistic knock against South Africa during the T20 World Cup 2022 in Sydney, when he hammered the famed Protea pace attack for 28 runs off only 11 balls, playing a crucial role in keeping Pakistan’s tournament alive. He gave a glimpse of his intent then.
Haris has improved as a player in recent times. And while he had a torrid lead-up to the Asia Cup with several low scores, he seems to have found his mojo back with a match-winning knock of 63 runs off 43 balls against Oman.
Indian bowlers will have the job of cleaning up Haris quickly, or else he can turn the momentum of the match in a space of a few overs.
Mohammad Nawaz
Left-arm spin all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has made a stunning comeback to the Pakistani T20I team under new coach Mike Hesson.
Realizing Nawaz’s importance on Asian surfaces, Hesson has banked on Nawaz, and the player has stepped up with his spin game. In 2025, Nawaz has taken 21 wickets in T20Is in only 12 games at an average of 11 and an economy of less than 6.5.
Recently, he out-spun Afghanistan in the tri-series final, grabbing a five-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick.
On the Dubai pitch that is dry and spin-assisting, Indian batsmen will have to remain wary when tackling Nawaz’s left-arm spin.
Shaheen Afridi
Some might opine that Shaheen Afridi has lost his deadly menace following his knee injuries, but it is better to remember that impactful players often push their game up when their team requires them. With no Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, this is the time for Shaheen to remind everyone of his flashy excellence.
And what better for Shaheen than to play a T20I against India in Dubai? Cue the 2021 T20 World Cup encounter when he knocked over India’s famous trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli to help Pakistan beat India in a World Cup encounter for the first time.
Even if there is a little bit of help from the conditions and pitch, Shaheen is someone who can prise out any batsman in the world.
What would be further enthralling to watch will be his contest against India opener Abhishek Sharma, who bats in a highly attacking manner. As a spearhead pacer of Pakistan’s inexperienced fast bowling attack, Shaheen has an immense responsibility in the IND vs PAK match.
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