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Following India's final group-stage match against Oman, captain Suryakumar Yadav deliberately avoided mentioning Pakistan by name during the post-match presentation. The two arch-rivals are gearing up for their highly anticipated second clash in two weeks, scheduled for Sunday, September 21 in Dubai.
Suryakumar Yadav's subtle reply on IND vs PAK Super Four clash
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar asked Suryakumar directly about facing Pakistan again. In response, Suryakumar made it clear that the Indian team was not focused on any specific opponent. When Manjrekar asked, "All set for Sunday’s match against Pakistan?" Suryakumar simply replied, "All set for Super Four," signaling the team's broader focus on the next stage of the tournament.
A recent group-stage match between India and Pakistan was marred by controversy when India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with the opposing team. This incident led the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to file a formal complaint with the ICC.
The PCB sent multiple emails to the ICC, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, arguing that he failed to uphold the spirit of cricket. The on-field tension between the two teams was set against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Despite threatening to pull out, Pakistan eventually played their crucial Asia Cup match against the UAE in Dubai, but only after a dramatic delay caused by the ICC's repeated refusal to remove Pycroft.
Previously, Pakistan had refused to leave their hotel for a must-win group match against UAE, protesting the officiating of match referee Andy Pycroft. The game, which was pushed back to a 9 pm IST start from the original 8 pm, was delayed even further by Pakistan's protest.
Teams are required to arrive at the stadium two hours before a match, a mandate Pakistan deliberately failed to meet. During a conference call, International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Sanjog Gupta informed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi that Pycroft would remain the match referee. The ICC maintained that the Zimbabwean had followed all rules and regulations to the letter and would therefore stay in his role.
India will have an upper hand over Pakistan, having thrashed them in the group stage match by seven wickets.
India vs Pakistan head-to-head in Asia Cup
In the history of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan have played against each other 20 times. India have the superior record, having won 11 of those matches, while Pakistan have secured 6 victories. Three of the matches ended with no result.
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