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.

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.

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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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Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has revealed that Liverpool‘s big-money signing, Alexander Isak, was left out of Friday’s draw against Slovenia because playing him was considered too much of a “risk.”

Isak is short of match fitness after missing all of Newcastle United‘s preseason and opening Premier League games in a bid to force through a move to Liverpool, which was completed on deadline day.

The striker, a British-record signing at £125 million ($170m), was still included in Sweden’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers, but sat on the bench as his side drew 2-2 against Slovenia.

“He had only done three training sessions with the team,” Tomasson told Viaplay after the match. “He had no preseason with the team and of course no playing time.

“The risk was probably a bit too great to use him today.”

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Asked whether Isak could feature in Monday’s qualifier against Kosovo, Tomasson replied: “Hopefully, hopefully. As a game-changer.”

New Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga scored for Sweden on Friday, while Manchester United‘s Benjamin Sesko set up a goal for the hosts.