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.

Florida Gators defensive lineman Brendan Bett was ejected from Saturday night’s upset loss to South Florida after he spit on one of his opponents.

The crucial moment came on the Bulls’ game-winning drive. Bett came face-to-face with South Florida offensive lineman Cole Skinner and spit right into the player’s facemask.

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Bett was immediately ejected from the game with 2:07 left to play and the Gators were assessed a 15-yard penalty. Seven plays later, Nico Gramatica nailed a 20-yard field goal to give South Florida the 18-16 win.

Bett is a redshirt sophomore who transferred from Baylor. He played in 10 games for the Bears in 2023 but was redshirted during the 2024 season. He saw some action off the bench in the Texas Bowl. He played in 15 defensive snaps against Long Island last week.

South Florida picked up another huge win. The team knocked off No. 25 Boise State last week, 34-7. This time, Florida was the No. 13 team in the nation.

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South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throws the ball over Florida Gators defensive lineman Brendan Bett (90) during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)

Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown had 263 passing yards and a touchdown pass in the win. He also picked up 66 yards on the ground. Eight different South Florida receivers had catches.

Gators quarterback D.J. Lagway had 222 passing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. Jadan Baugh added 93 yards on the ground. Florida went up one point early in the fourth quarter. But the team punted on back-to-back drives.

South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) throws against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)

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The spitting incident is the second that has captured the attention of the football world. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter was ejected from Thursday night’s NFL opener against the Dallas Cowboys for spitting on Dak Prescott.

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