Asia Cup 25: can Pakistan really defeat India tomorrow?

Here we go again: a cricket rivalry since eons returns as Pakistan and India, carrying the immense weight of expectations, drama, and unpredictability face each other in the Asia Cup tomorrow. Looking at the current scenario, India appear as formidable as a cinematic Baahubali, while Pakistan’s Shaheens seem like Kaaghaz Ke Phool, fragile and fading like the classic film’s title. Despite these associations, it appears that cricket thrives on uncertainty, and Pakistan’s chances cannot be written off.

Let’s see why despite the odds, Pakistan might still have the chance of defeating India.

Despite Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian side being far stronger on paper than Salman Agha’s Pakistan, a few factors tilt the scales. For instance, this is not one-day international, but a T20 match, a format in which tables can be turned and a victory can be clinched. The match is being played in Dubai so Pakistan have lesser pressure of expectation and cricket pundits, experts, and even fans are nearly majorly convinced that India will win, which in a twisted way frees Pakistan to play fearlessly with a nothing-to-lose mindset.

Should India falter, however, the Indian media storm will be so intense that even cinematic villains like Gabbar, Mogambo, and Shakal might beg for mercy. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, fans have already resigned themselves to defeat, playing the Jeeto ya Haaro (Win or Lose) anthem on repeat. Most crucially, Virat Kohli has retired; he was the man who, time and again, stretched the gap between Pakistan and victory, often sealing matches in his country’s favour.

Tactical outlook

If Pakistan win the toss, they should bat first. A total of even 130–140 could allow Pakistan’s spinners to strangle the game. Anything above 150 would severely test India’s batting line-up under scoreboard pressure.

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Early on, Pakistan must play out Jasprit Bumrah cautiously while cashing in on loose deliveries from other bowlers. Agha must use Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman strategically across different phases of the innings to unsettle India’s attack. Should they provide solid starts, the late-order firepower of Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz could prove decisive.

Faheem Ashraf, however, does not seem to fit into this set-up. Instead, Haris Rauf deserves inclusion instead of being asked to watch from the pavilion. With Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz sharing the new ball, Pakistan can then rotate through options: Saim’s variations, Abrar’s mystery spin, and most importantly, Sufyan’s left-arm chinaman. This array of bowlers gives Pakistan flexibility and the potential to expose India’s stroke-makers if the pitch slows down in the second innings.

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Apart from Hardik Pandya, much of India’s batting line-up could struggle in a pressure chase.

The probable Pakistan XI can be Salman Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqeem. The twelfth can be the best available fielder.

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India undoubtedly enter the contest as favourites, but cricket’s greatest charm lies in its uncertainty. With the T20 format, a fearless Pakistan side could produce a major upset. A disciplined strategy and inspired performance might just tilt the balance for their lucky stars to shine out bright.