There are now only eight days left in the high-voltage match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Meanwhile, on Saturday (6 September), both teams came face to face for the first time, when India and Pakistan practiced at the same time at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy of Dubai.
According to Espncricinfo’s report, the Indian team conducted their second training session after reaching the UAE, which lasted for about three hours. During this time, all the specialist batsmen of India practiced for about an hour each and after that all-rounders batted in the nets. On the other hand, the Pakistan team reached the ground local time at 7 am as they were to play the final of the triangular series against Afghanistan the next day (7 September). The report stated that the two teams remained on their respective routines and the players neither interacted nor showed any friendly behavior.
Now this conflict between India-Pakistan will be in a very stressful environment as this match will be the first international match between the two teams after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. For the past months, it was also suspected whether it would be a tournament or not, but now India is not only ready to play in it but can also clash with Pakistan for three times in this competition.
Recently, the Indian government had clarified a sports policy with Pakistan that Indian teams can play against Pakistan in multi-game events, but any kind of bilateral series will remain.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia made it clear a few days before the tournament that India would have to play against Pakistan or else the restrictions may be faced. He said, “The Asia Cup is a multinational tournament, so we have to play. Similarly, if any country is involved in any ICC tournament that is not good, we still have to play there. But as far as the bilateral series is concerned, we will not play with any hostile country.”
Saikia further said, “If India boycott the ACC or ICC multinational tournaments, or suppose a FIFA, AFC or athletics tournament does not participate in the tournament because it includes a team like Pakistan, then the Indian federation may be imposed international sanctions.” The Group A of India and Pakistan will be played in Dubai on 14 September.
