The Asia Cup begins Tuesday in the UAE with a highly anticipated showdown between arch-rivals India and Pakistan set to headline the tournament. This marks the first cricketing face-off between the two nations since their military conflict in May, adding intensity to an already fierce rivalry. Alongside regional pride, the Twenty20 competition will serve as a crucial build-up to the T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka early next year.
The eight-team event opens in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong, while all eyes remain on the September 14 clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai. Cricket legend Wasim Akram has urged both players and fans to “remain disciplined and not cross the line.” The two sides, grouped together, could potentially meet three times before the tournament concludes on September 28.
India, the defending champions, enter as strong favourites with a dominant 10-3 T20 record over Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be without star batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both dropped due to poor form. Despite tensions off the field, cricket fans across South Asia await another dramatic chapter in one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
