Abhishek Sharma was brutal and beautiful in equal measure during his scintillating 74 as India made a tricky chase look comfortable, winning an ill-tempered Super 4 contest of the Asia Cup against Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan survived a wonderful spell from an enraged spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in an intense Super 4 match to stay alive in the Asia Cup, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
I won't stop anyone from expressing emotions as long as it is not disrespectful: Pak captain Agha
Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf is banking on his knowledge gained from the Australian Big Bash League to outsmart Indian batters when the two arch-rivals clash in the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23.
On Sunday, in the crucible of Dubai, it all comes down to a single question: Who will seize their moment and become a hero for a nation?
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan, will be in attendance when his country takes on India in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday and it would be interesting to see how the Indian team responds to his presence at the post-match trophy ceremony.
'...the only match that really counts is the one at the end. And that will be our focus. Trying to play our best game when it counts.'
Suryakumar fined 30 percent of match fee, India appeal verdict
Pakistan retain playing XI for clash against India
A fiery century by Hasan Nawaz and top-class performances from pacers helped Pakistan keep the series alive
The 'Umpire's Call' handed South Africa's Tabraiz Shamsi the much-needed lifeline by the barest of margins, which somewhat proved to be the decisive factor in the World Cup encounter against Pakistan in Chennai on Friday.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
India and Bangladesh have two points each with Suryakumar Yadav's men leading the standings owing to a superior net run rate. Sri Lanka and Pakistan occupy the third and fourth spots respectively.
Shaheen Shah Afridi steered clear of giving a direct response to Suryakumar Yadav's view that Indo-Pak games should not be considered a rivalry.
Shaheen Afridi also missed the last two Tests against England in October.
Pakistan are currently in the second spot with two points, ahead of UAE (2 points) on net run rate.
Advertisers will pay 18 lakh to 25 lakh per 10 seconds, a 10% to 20% increase over the last Asia Cup final.
With stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan sidelined, it will be a test of character for the Salman Agha-led Pakistan side.
I didn't like the way Pakistan players coming at us for no reason: Abhishek on aggressive batting
Pakistan now face a must-win encounter against India to keep their semi-final hopes alive in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The India-Pakistan tensions have had no impact on the bonhomie within the UAE cricket team, which is a mix of expatriates from the two countries, insisted skipper Muhammad Waseem.
The ICC, which punishes slow over rates and dissent, must protect cricket's core values. Pretending to be violent in front of millions sets a bad example for young fans. Cricket deserves better. Fans deserve better. The world deserves better than seeing the sport used for such shameful displays.
Babar Azam is set to return as Pakistan skipper for their home series against New Zealand, starting April 14.
The Pakistan cricket team left for Dubai for the marquee Champions Trophy clash against arch-rivals India without opener Fakhar Zaman, who suffered an injury during the opening match against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The left-handed batter has been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq in Pakistan's squad.
Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan will come into the Asia Cup squad but no decision had been made yet regarding Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
The final ODI will be played in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Haris Rauf bowled a couple of hostile spells, while Imam-ul-Haq struck a silken 78 as Pakistan secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Super Four clash of the Asia Cup, in Lahore on Wednesday.
As India gear up for the T20 World Cup at home, the selectors have backed a squad built on impact, and versatility.
'There was no need for him to interfere with the progress of the ball.'
Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off in a dead rubber match in the Champions Trophy on Thursday, both teams looking to salvage some pride after disappointing tournament performances. Both teams have suffered heavy defeats to New Zealand.
This is the first-ever India vs Pakistan final across 17 editions of the Men's Asia Cup since the tournament's inception in 1984.
Virat Kohli's masterclass against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in 2022 has been voted the T20 World Cup FanCraze Greatest Moment.
Gill's highest score in the three Asia Cup matches has been an unbeaten 20 with the Test skipper failing to click in the games against Pakistan and Oman after a fruitful red-ball away series against England.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of Asia Cup 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has delayed the announcement of its World Cup squad until late May due to fitness and performance issues with some players.
In the sixth over of the Dutch innings, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf delivered a nasty bouncer, which hit batter Bas de Leede on the helmet.
The run-up to the marquee event has been chaotic to say the least with change in captaincy, shuffling of the top-order and players coming out of retirement.
Pakistan were always struggling to keep up the required run rate despite captain Mohamed Rizwan batting through to the last over before being dismissed for 74.
Aiming for their second Cricket World Cup title, Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam and are armed with a strong batting unit that includes Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Mohammed Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Salman Agha.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
