India exacted sweet revenge on Pakistan in their opening game of the 2022 Asia Cup, having lost to their bitter rivals in the 2021 T20 World Cup by 10 wickets. The side beat Pakistan by five wickets this time around, and leading the line for them was all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who picked up three wickets and also scored a quickfire 33 runs to help India chase down 148 runs.
Fans of both teams were eagerly awaiting this high voltage clash between the two countries in Dubai on Sunday, August 28. And adding to the delight is the fact that instead of waiting for months or years now, fans might witness the two teams clash for a second time on September 4 in the Super 4s stage of the competition, exactly six days from August 29, 2022.
How can this happen?
India and Pakistan have been grouped in A in the Asia Cup, alongside the qualifier Hong Kong. The match o Sunday was the first of their group, and the two teams will now face the minnows Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 31 (India) and Friday, September 2 (Pakistan) respectively.
Both teams are expected to overcome the Hong Kong challenge with ease and qualify for the Super 4. With India slated to win both matches in Group A, they might finish on top of their group and make it to the next round. But in the off chance that India does lose then Pakistan will need to beat Hong Kong by a formidable margin to make it to the Super 4. If Pakistan loses, it will be the biggest upset as not only will Hong Kong make it to the Super 4, but they will have eliminated Pakistan as well!
But with the subcontinental rivals predicted to qualify, then the two teams from Group A will clash again on Sunday, September 4, in what will be their second outing against each other in the competition. According to the schedule, A1 (winner of Group A) takes on A2 (runners-up of Group A) in the weekend mega fixture.
A third meeting possible?
In a triple delight for fans, there is a likelihood that the two teams will clash for the third time in the final of the Asia Cup. Going by current form, both these teams have done equally well but will need to be wary of the threat possessed by the likes of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, who have also done fairly well in their last few matches.
But an India-Pakistan match will take fans back to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where India thrashed their opponents in the league stage but was condemned to a loss in the final.
Whatever the final outcome, it surely is an interesting prospect for fans of the sports, with India and Pakistan among the highest watched cricket matches across the world currently!
