Team India are set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their second group-stage match of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (September 14).
While the defending Asian champions will enter the match on the back of a thumping nine-wicket win over UAE, Pakistan will also be high on confidence following an emphatic 93-run victory against Oman in their campaign opener.
Ahead of the game, former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has highlighted Pakistan’s spin-heavy bowling strategy as a potential challenge for India’s explosive batting line-up.
In the match against Oman, the Men in Green went with three premier spinners in Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and opener Saim Ayub were two other handy spin-bowling options.
Saim and Sufiyan claimed up two wickets each as Omani batters perished cheaply in the turning conditions.
Manjrekar believes this revamped spin attack could present a fresh challenge to the Suryakumar Yadav-led side.
“I like this bowling combination because it’s India vs Pakistan, and I feel this attack might give the Indian batters something different to think about,” Manjrekar said on Sony Sports Network. “They’ve played Pakistan in world events before, but usually against a certain kind of attack. This is completely different — hardly any pace on show — and maybe Wasim [Akram] would hate it.”
He added, “Batting will need a little improvement against India, but credit to Mike Hesson for making the most of the resources he has. Saim Ayub has hardly bowled for Pakistan in the past, but under Hesson, he’s bowled in almost 90% of the innings. This shows a new approach, and that’s exciting because it’s refreshing to see Pakistan try something different.”
Manjrekar also expressed surprise at the dominance of spin in the first part of Pakistan’s innings against Oman.
“Can you imagine the first six or eight overs? Just two overs of pace, and the rest were all spin. Incredible,” he remarked.
India and Pakistan might face each other twice more in the ongoing Asia Cup, provided both teams make it to the Super 4s and final.
