A blockbuster clash between Pakistan and India will headline the Asia Cup, starting Tuesday, marking their first cricket meeting since the May military conflict.

The T20I tournament, a crucial build-up to the upcoming World Cup in India and Sri Lanka (February–March), kicks off in Abu Dhabi with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong.

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India meet in Dubai on September 14, with bowling legend Wasim Akram urging players and fans “to remain disciplined and not cross the line.”

The two neighbours, who haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012, are in the same group and could meet up to three times before the final on September 28.

Tensions remain high after the four-day May conflict—their deadliest clash since 1999—which killed more than 70 people in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges.

Lingering bitterness also saw India’s veterans team, led by Yuvraj Singh, withdraw from facing Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends in England earlier this year.

Ex-spinner Harbhajan Singh has strongly opposed the Asia Cup match, saying, “Until the big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter.”

India, the defending Asia Cup champions, head into the tournament as favourites with skipper Suryakumar Yadav and a commanding 10-3 T20I record over Pakistan.

Their last meeting, in February’s Champions Trophy, saw India beat Pakistan by six wickets on the way to lifting the trophy.

Pakistan will be without star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both dropped from the shortest format because of poor form.

India won the previous Asia Cup, which was played in a 50-over format in 2023, when they beat hosts Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo.

India are strong favourites to retain their crown.

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka earned automatic qualification to the tournament.

They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE, teams that secured their spots by finishing in the top three of the ACC men’s Premier Cup.

Group A is made up of India, Pakistan, the hosts UAE and Oman.

Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round, followed by the final in Dubai.

• Pakistan last faced India in Champions Trophy in February.
• Arch-rivals will clash again in Dubai on September 14.
• Asia Cup to serve as build-up towards T20I World Cup in 2026.

NEW DELHI: A blockbuster between Pakistan and India headlines the Asia Cup starting on Tuesday as they face off for the first time in cricket since the military conflict in May.

Along with regional bragging rights, the T20I competition will serve as a build-up towards the T20I World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

The eight-team event in the United Arab Emirates begins when Afghanistan play minnows Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14, with Pakistan bowling great Wasim Akram saying players and fans from both teams should “remain disciplined and not cross the line”.

The neighbours have not met on either side’s soil in a bilateral series since 2012 and only play each other in international tournaments on neutral ground as part of a compromise deal.

The two Asian cricketing giants have been clubbed together in the same group and could potentially meet three times in the tournament, which concludes on September 28.

There have been tensions in the build-up after the two countries fought an intense four-day conflict — their worst since 1999.

The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire was reached eventually.

With lingering bitterness, an Indian team of retired players withdrew from their semi-final with Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends in July-August in England.

Led by former international Yuvraj Singh, the Indians also refused to play Pakistan in the group stage of the tournament, as clamour grew among fans to boycott the games.

Strong favourites

Pakistan and India last met in cricket, again in Dubai, in February in the 50-over Champions Trophy, with India winning by six wickets and going on to lift the title.

They are also defending Asia Cup champions and led by Suryakumar Yadav, are favourites against their old foes with a 10-3 win record against Pakistan in T20Is.

Pakistan will be without star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both dropped from the shortest format because of poor form.

India won the previous Asia Cup, which was played in a 50-over format in 2023, when they beat hosts Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo. India are strong favourites to retain their crown.

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council — Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — earned automatic qualification to the tournament.

They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE, teams that secured their spots by finishing in the top three of the ACC men’s Premier Cup.

Group A is made up of India, Pakistan, the hosts UAE and Oman.

Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round, followed by the final in Dubai.

An announcer jinx added to the Michigan Wolverines’ issues in their 24-13 loss against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday night.

ESPN stars Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit were on the call for the game. Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada came onto the field in the second quarter in an attempt to cut Oklahoma’s seven-point lead to four with a field goal.

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Fowler spoke about Zvada’s leg strength and accuracy. Zvada was 33-of-37 from field goal attempts inside 40 yards. The attempt was from 32 yards.

“Well, Dominic Zvada usually gets points when he goes out there to kick field goals,” Fowler said. “He’s an All-American kicker. Bombs them from 50-plus easily. This is a chip shot of 32 to get the Wolverines on the board.”

Zvada hooked the attempt left.

FLORIDA DEFENSIVE LINEMAN EJECTED FOR SPITTING ON PLAYER DURING OPPONENT’S GAME-WINNING DRIVE

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, center right, hands off the ball to running back Justice Haynes (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

“I know I’m gonna hear about it,” Fowler said as Herbstreit expressed his astonishment. “Let’s talk about his technique and not what the announcer said.

It was a tough night for Michigan all around. Oklahoma took a 14-0 lead into halftime and never relinquished even as Michigan made it close at the end.

John Mateer was on fire for the Sooners all night. He finished 21-of-34 with 270 passing yards, a touchdown pass and one interception. He added 74 yards on the ground and tallied two rushing touchdowns.

Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks had seven catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) runs the ball against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Norman, Okla.  (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

The Oklahoma defense locked down freshman phenom Bryce Underwood. He was 9-of-24 with 142 passing yards. Running back Justice Haynes had a 75-yard touchdown run in the second half but it was not enough.

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The Sooners improved to 2-0 on the year. The Wolverines fell to 1-1.

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