The Asia Cup 2025, commencing on September 9th, will feature a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan. This year’s tournament sees the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Indian side, as they have retired from T20 cricket. Pakistan will also be without key players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Despite these significant changes, the India vs. Pakistan match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Rohit Sharma’s performance against Pakistan hasn’t been particularly strong, while Virat Kohli has displayed impressive batting. Rohit has faced Shaheen Afridi in T20s, managing only 12 runs off 16 balls, with two dismissals. Against Haris Rauf, Rohit has faced only two balls and scored no runs, getting out once.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has fared well against Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20 cricket, scoring 54 runs off 43 balls at a strike rate of 125.6 and an average of 54, with only one dismissal. Against Haris Rauf, he has scored 38 runs off 28 balls at a strike rate of 135.7 without being dismissed. In T20 matches against Pakistan, Kohli has accumulated 492 runs in 11 innings, averaging 70.28. Rohit Sharma has had less success against Pakistan, scoring only 127 runs in 11 innings, with an average of 14.11.
Mohammad Rizwan has performed well against India, scoring 228 runs in five innings at an average of 57 in T20s. While Virat Kohli is the top run-scorer for India in this format, Rizwan leads for Pakistan. Rizwan has scored 54 runs off 43 balls against Jasprit Bumrah, averaging 54, and has been dismissed once.
Babar Azam has scored 105 runs in five innings against India in the T20 format, with an average of 26.25. His statistics against Jasprit Bumrah are not as impressive, as Bumrah has often put him under pressure. Babar has scored only 22 runs off 39 balls against Bumrah in the T20 format.
Even without these four players, the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for December 14th in Dubai, is expected to be highly competitive. Both teams boast a lineup of dynamic players. Pakistan includes Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, while India features Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
Fakhar Zaman has scored 1949 runs in 97 matches at a strike rate of 131.77, including 11 half-centuries, with a best score of 91 not out. Salman Ali Agha has scored 380 runs in 20 matches at an average of 27.14, with a best score of 56 runs, and has also taken four wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 104 wickets in 81 matches at an average of 22.45, and Haris Rauf has taken 120 wickets in 87 T20 matches at an average of 21.44.
For India, Hardik Pandya has scored 1812 runs in 114 T20 matches at a strike rate of 141.67, with a best score of 71 not out, and has also taken 94 wickets. Suryakumar Yadav has scored 2598 runs in 83 matches at an average of 38.20, including 21 half-centuries and four centuries, with a best score of 117. Jasprit Bumrah will be a crucial bowler for India in the Asia Cup 2025, having taken 89 wickets in 70 T20 matches at an average of 17.74. Mohammed Siraj will also be a key player, having taken 14 wickets in 16 T20 matches at an average of 32.28. A thrilling contest is expected between these players.
