India and Pakistan will square off in Dubai on September 14.
The high-octane India versus Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 will be held on Sunday (September 14) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
While the Men in Blue will enter the game on the back of a thumping nine-wicket win over UAE, the Men in Green will also be high on confidence following an emphatic 93-run victory against Oman.
After their campaign got off to an impressive start, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha expressed confidence in his team beating any opposition in the competition if they execute their game plan and play good cricket.
"We have been playing good cricket in the last 2-3 months and we just have to play good cricket. If we can execute our plans for a long enough period, we are good enough to beat any team," Agha said when asked if the resounding win against Oman will give his side the momentum going into Sunday's marquee clash.
Opting to bat, Pakistan scored 160/7 in their stipulated 20 overs, mainly due to Mohammad Haris' 66 off 43 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes. Pakistan then bundled out Oman for just 67 in 16.4 overs with Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf and Sufiyan Muqeem claiming two wickets each.
"With the bat, we still need to work. But with the bowling, it was outstanding. The spinners bowled really well.
"Shaheen (Afridi) in his second spell and Faheem also (bowled well). We have three spinners, and all are very different. We have Saim as well, he is outstanding with the new and old ball. When you come to UAE, you need to have a lot of spinners," Agha said.
Asked how many runs they should have scored on the track, he said, "It is hard to say but the way we started, we should have scored near 180.
"It is just a game of cricket, you never know (how it goes)." Haris, who was declared Player-of-the-Match, said, "When we came here, it was looking good and flat. But when we batted, we were struggling. Good to post that total."
On playing aggressively, the Pakistan captain said, "That was what I was doing from last 5-6 years for Pakistan and in the PSL. That is what I like. The skipper also told us to be aggressive."
Oman captain Jatinder Singh said restricting Pakistan to 160 was a proud feeling.
"The way the boys bowled and fielded, they were bang on target. They executed the plan, they were 10/10. Our team is a lot better than what we performed today, and confident that we can do a lot better," he remarked.
On plans for the India game, Agha said, "To back ourselves and play positive cricket. Just be in the present and not think about who is bowling to you."
(With PTI Inputs)