The Asia Cup 2025 continues to capture global attention as cricket’s fiercest rivalry, India vs Pakistan, is set for another showdown on 21 September in Dubai. This will be the second meeting between the two sides in the tournament, after India secured a victory in the group stage. However, the build-up to this rematch has been dominated by off-field drama, including the now-infamous “handshake-gate” controversy.
Super Four Stage: Fixtures and Stakes
The Super Four stage begins on 20 September, with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. By defeating Afghanistan in their last group game, Sri Lanka remained unbeaten in Group B alongside Bangladesh, securing their Super Four spots.
Super Four Fixtures
| Teams | Date | Venue | Time | |
| 1 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | September 20, 2025 | Dubai | 8:00 PM |
| 2 | India vs Pakistan | September 21, 2025 | Dubai | 8:00 PM |
| 3 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | September 23, 2025 | Abu Dhabi | 8:00 PM |
| 4 | India vs Bangladesh | September 24, 2025 | Dubai | 8:00 PM |
| 5 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | September 25, 2025 | Dubai | 8:00 PM |
| 6 | India vs Sri Lanka | September 26, 2025 | Dubai | 8:00 PM |
From Group A, India and Pakistan qualified comfortably, with Pakistan defeating the UAE to book their place. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on 21 September will be played in Dubai. This venue has already hosted their fiery group-stage encounter. India, still undefeated, will also face Oman before the round concludes.
Pakistan will enjoy a day’s rest before meeting Sri Lanka. At the same time, Bangladesh faces a tight schedule, taking on India on 24 September and Pakistan on 25 September, both in Dubai. The Super Four will end with India vs Sri Lanka on 26 September, before the final on 28 September, also in Dubai. Importantly, no team will carry points from the group stage, meaning the Super Four begins with a clean slate.
Handshake-Gate: The Controversy That Rocked the Tournament
The spotlight, however, has shifted away from just cricketing performances due to the “handshake-gate” controversy.
On 14 September, just minutes before the toss in the India vs Pakistan group-stage game, ICC match referee Andy Pycroft was informed by the ACC venue manager that there would be no pre-match handshake between the two captains, India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Agha. The instruction reportedly came with approval from the BCCI and the Indian government.
Pycroft, caught off guard, quickly conveyed the directive to Pakistan’s captain to avoid a potential public embarrassment. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a strong protest, accusing Pycroft of misconduct and violating the spirit of cricket.
PCB vs ICC: A Tense Standoff
The PCB’s complaint alleged that Pycroft failed to uphold neutrality and demanded his removal from the tournament. Tensions escalated to the point where Pakistan even threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 if Pycroft was not reassigned.
The ICC, however, stood by Pycroft, stating he acted professionally, given the circumstances, and was passing along directives. In its statement, the ICC emphasized that the “real issue” was the absence of a handshake — a matter for tournament organizers, not the match referee.
A hastily arranged meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan team officials before their must-win game against the UAE helped cool tensions. Pycroft reportedly expressed regret over the “miscommunication,” though the PCB later described it as an “apology.” The ICC disputed this characterization, calling it only an explanation of events.
Impact on the India vs Pakistan Clash
The controversy has only heightened the anticipation for the upcoming India vs Pakistan Super Four match on 21 September. Fans and analysts believe that the off-field drama could add an extra edge to the already high-pressure contest.
Cricket historians note that Indo-Pak encounters often extend beyond the sport, carrying significant political, cultural, and emotional weight. With millions expected to watch worldwide, the Dubai clash is not just about reaching the Asia Cup 2025 final, but also about national pride and cricketing dominance.
Global Reactions and Media Coverage
- Indian media has largely downplayed the handshake issue, framing it as a diplomatic protocol decision rather than a cricketing controversy.
- Pakistani media, meanwhile, has criticized both the BCCI and ICC, accusing them of undermining the spirit of fair play.
- Neutral commentators argue that the Asia Cup risks being overshadowed by off-field politics, warning that cricket should remain a bridge between the two nations.
The handshake-gate saga has also sparked debates on whether cricket boards should allow politics to dictate on-field traditions.
What Lies Ahead
As the Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan clash approaches, both teams are focused on performance. India’s batting lineup has been in top form, while Pakistan’s bowlers will be looking for redemption after their earlier defeat.
With the Super Four format allowing little margin for error, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner of the 21 September clash will have a strong chance of qualifying for the Asia Cup 2025 final.
But beyond the runs and wickets, the match will be remembered for how the players and officials handle the aftershocks of handshake-gate. Will the captains shake hands this time? Or will the controversy continue to linger over cricket’s most-watched rivalry?
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2025 is delivering everything fans expected: thrilling cricket, intense rivalries, and dramatic controversies. As India and Pakistan prepare to face each other again, the game promises not just cricketing brilliance but also geopolitical undertones.
One thing is sure: on 21 September in Dubai, when the Asia Cup 2025 India vs Pakistan unfolds, the world will be watching both for the cricket and for what happens off the field.
