The 2025 T20 Asia Cup has been full of excitement, drama, and some controversies. On Wednesday, Pakistan defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs in Dubai. With this win, Pakistan booked their place in the Super Four stage, joining India from Group A. Sadly, UAE’s journey in the tournament came to an end.
Pakistan Power Past UAE in Style
Pakistan’s national cricket team showed good performance against the hosts, UAE. The Shaheens scored enough runs on the board and later bowled well to stop UAE from chasing. In the end, Pakistan won the game comfortably by 41 runs. This victory was very important for them because it was their last chance to qualify for the Super Four.
India and Pakistan Power Through as Group Leaders
From Group A, both India and Pakistan have now qualified. India had already sealed their place earlier by winning two matches in a row. Oman and UAE, the other two teams in the group, are now out of the tournament. This result also means fans will get to enjoy another India-Pakistan clash, which will take place on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai.
How the Asia Cup Was Shaped
This time, eight teams are part of the Asia Cup. The teams were arranged in pairs of groups, with four in each. From each group, only the top two teams can enter the Super Four stage. In Group A, the teams were India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. In Group B, there are four other teams. After the group matches, the Super Four stage will decide who goes into the final.
Controversy Over Handshake
When India and Pakistan met earlier in the group stage, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets. The result was clear, but arguments made the match controversial. After the game, Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistani players. Pakistan’s cricket board (PCB) objected strongly and even asked the ICC to remove the referee Andy Pycroft. The ICC did not agree to this request.
Heated Moments Before Facing UAE
Things didn’t cool down; instead, they heated up even more. Before the match against UAE, Pakistan threatened to skip the game. The team even arrived one hour late at the stadium, which created more drama. However, they eventually played and managed to win, securing their Super Four spot.
The Road Travelled by Team India
India started their campaign with a strong win against UAE. In their second game, they defeated Pakistan by seven wickets. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, the team looks confident. India will play their last group match against Oman on Friday, but they have already qualified for the Super Four.
How Pakistan Has Fought Their Way
Pakistan began their tournament with a win against Oman. However, they lost their second match to India, which made their chances of qualification look weak. But by beating UAE in their third game, they kept their hopes alive and successfully made it through.
Onward to the Next Cricket War
Now that both India and Pakistan are in the Super Four, fans are eagerly waiting for their next big clash on Sunday, September 21. These two rivals always bring extra excitement to cricket, and this upcoming match in Dubai promises to be a thrilling battle.