Cricket, Controversy and Competition: India vs Pakistan Super Four Preview

Match referee Andy Pycroft will be in charge of the big Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The issue started in the group match on September 14, when Pycroft told the captains, Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav not to shake hands during the toss.

The situation caused a lot of tension with both captains skipping the usual handshakes before and after the game. After India won, their players went straight to the dressing room while Pakistan’s team waited on the field, which made things worse. Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, officially protested saying Pycroft didn’t handle the situation well and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also took it up with the ICC, asking that Pycroft not referee Pakistan’s next matches.

Even though the request was turned down, Pycroft later apologized to Pakistan’s captain and team management before their match against UAE, which had already been delayed because of talks behind the scenes. Despite all the off-field tension, Pakistan beat UAE and qualified for the Super Four stage along with India. In Group B, Sri Lanka finished on top without losing a match earning six points, while Bangladesh came second with four points.

India Super 4 Preview

In Friday’s match against Oman, the Indian team tried out a lot of new strategies, even putting captain Suryakumar Yadav at No. 11, and he didn’t get a chance to bat after the 8th wicket fell. India seem well-prepared and may have already had their one off-day. Suryakumar Yadav has done a great job leading the team, and when at full strength, India are clear favourites to win the trophy.

Team India Asia Cup 2025 Results - Group Stage & Super Four Matches

Date	Opponent	Result	Score	Player of the Match
Sep 10, 2025	United Arab Emirates (UAE)	Won by 9 wickets	India 60/1 (4.3 overs) vs UAE 57 all out (13.1 overs)	Abhishek Sharma (30 off 16 balls)
Sep 14, 2025	Pakistan	Won by 7 wickets	India 131/3 (15.5 overs) vs Pakistan 127/9 (20 overs)	Kuldeep Yadav (3/18)
Sep 19, 2025	Oman	Won by 21 runs	India 188/8 (20 overs) vs Oman 167/4 (20 overs)	Sanju Samson (56 off 45 balls)
Sep 21, 2025	Pakistan (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD
Sep 24, 2025	Bangladesh (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD
Sep 26, 2025	Sri Lanka (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD

Pakistan Super 4 Preview

It’s surprising how Pakistan managed to stay focused on cricket. After the handshake controversy with India, they even threatened to pull out of the tournament. They stayed holed up in their hotel but later made a sudden U-turn to play against UAE in their last group match. Their actions delayed the official match by an hour, yet the team wasn’t fined for discipline issues by the Asian Cricket Council.

Pakistan and the ICC both put out slightly different statements, maybe trying to please their fans. When Pakistan faces India in their first Super Four match, there’s likely to be some drama. In the earlier game, India refused to shake hands, how Pakistan will respond this time is still unclear. Off the field, Pakistan has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, and on the field, they haven’t looked very strong. If they want to show they are truly the second-best team in Asia, they still have a lot of work ahead.

Date	Opponent	Result	Score	Player of the Match
Sep 12, 2025	Oman	Won by 93 runs	Pakistan 160/7 (20 overs) vs Oman 67 all out (16.4 overs)	Mohammad Haris (66 off 43 balls)
Sep 14, 2025	India	Lost by 7 wickets	Pakistan 127/9 (20 overs) vs India 131/3 (15.5 overs)	Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) - IND
Sep 17, 2025	United Arab Emirates	Won by 41 runs	Pakistan 146/9 (20 overs) vs UAE 105 all out (17.4 overs)	Fakhar Zaman (50 off 36 balls)
Sep 21, 2025	India (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD
Sep 23, 2025	Sri Lanka (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD
Sep 25, 2025	Bangladesh (Super 4)	Scheduled	Match yet to be played	TBD