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The stage is set at the Dubai International Stadium for the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan. The two arch-rivals meet in Group A amid high political tensions and boycott calls back home in India after the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year.
Despite the protests, the match is going ahead as planned. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has won the toss and elected to bat first in the high-voltage clash against India. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said they were looking to bowl first anyway and are happy with the result.
India and Pakistan have gone with the same team as in their previous games. Pakistan want to put bog runs on the board first and put pressure on India.
Interestingly, Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands at the toss. This amid the growing criticism in India over the match being played.
“Going to bat first. We’ve been playing good cricket, very excited. Looks like a slow wicket. Just want to bat first and put runs on the board. Same side. Have been here for 20-odd days and are used to the conditions,” Salman Agha said.
“We were looking to bowl first, happy with it. We played just one strip away, was a nice wicket and better to bat on in the night. It’s humid so hoping for some dew. Same team,” Suryakumar said at the toss.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia vs Pakistan: Playing XIs
India’s Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan’s Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
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