The 20 teams for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 were confirmed on Thursday (October 16), following the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) booking of the last remaining spot for the tournament. 

UAE became last team to qualify for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

The top three teams in the Asia–EAP Regional Final could earn the last three tickets for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, while Nepal and Oman recently confirmed their respective tickets for the upcoming T20 World Cup from the Asia–EAP Regional Final. Now, UAE have confirmed their place for the next T20 World Cup after securing their spot in the top three positions in the Super 6 of the ongoing Asia–EAP Regional Final. They needed a win on Thursday, when they faced Japan, and UAE thrashed Japan by eight wickets with 47 balls remaining. 

UAE previously featured in two Men's T20 World Cups, which were in 2014 and 2022, now, they will start the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 along with the big teams, which will be their first such experience, as they were previously eliminated from the first rounds of both tournaments. 

India, the defending champions, and Sri Lanka will jointly host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place between February and March 2026, with 20 teams participating in the tournament. While the hosts directly qualified for the next T20 World Cup, all the remaining Super 8 teams from the previous T20 World Cup (2024) also earned direct qualification for the upcoming edition. These seven teams are South Africa, Afghanistan, England, Australia, Bangladesh, the West Indies, and the USA.   

The next three places are for the next three top ICC T20I-ranked teams, while the date of qualification was set for June 30, 2024, the next day after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

So, from the global regional qualifiers, eight more teams have earned qualifications for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. After Canada earned the only qualification ticket from the Americas Qualifier, the Netherlands and Italy have booked their places from the Europe Qualifier. Zimbabwe and Namibia confirmed their places from the Africa Qualifier early this month before Nepal, Oman, and UAE achieved it from the Asia–EAP Regional Final.

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ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: 20 Qualified Teams

Hosts: India (also defending champions), Sri Lanka

Super 8 teams of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa, England, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, West Indies, USA

Next Top 3 ICC T20I-ranked teams (as of June 30, 2024): New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland

Americas Qualifier (1 team): Canada

Europe Qualifier (2 teams): Netherlands, Italy

Africa Qualifier (2 teams): Zimbabwe, Namibia

Asia–EAP Qualifier (3 teams): Nepal, Oman, UAE

The Asia Cup 2025 has produced several subplots, and each of them narrates a unique but intriguing story. Sports offer a great stage, similar to life, real and unscripted. In a format mainly run by tactics and statistics, each ball is an event, and the best form of data analysis dictates its outcome. Any change, experiment, or shuffle is potentially backed by the right blend of concrete game plans, experiential learnings, and holds a certain meaning. If the results are favourable, desired, and that significance persists frequently, then the purpose gets upheld, lest it solely turns into a discussion in hindsight. T20, international cricket's shortest format, is extremely demanding and subject to intense and perennial evolution. With plenty of data and insights available, it requires a deep understanding of both the current situation and foresight.

Indian cricket has always been fortunate and privileged to be blessed with an abundance of talent. The domestic structure here is immensely organised, equipped with world-class and international standard facilities, and supervised under great coaching. The by-product is players who are supremely skillful and a secure investment for the future. The 20-over game has shifted the way the sport is looked at. The transition implies that squads are now built with an influx of all-rounders, drifting away from the notion of including just pure batters or bowlers. Teams look for players who are multi-dimensional in their skills, and thus including a maximum of them improves the balance of the side. Captaining such units is a dream because the skipper is spoilt for choice in all facets of the game. It imparts flexibility and allows a sustained form of aggression through all departments. 

See Also: Top 5 experts criticize India’s batting order shifts vs Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025

Despite India being on a winning streak so far, in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, and now gearing up for the final on 28th September, it is their batting order that has been under some form of spotlight. The team has been playing with an astonishing eight proper batters since their premier match of the continental tournament, and except for the openers, no other player has their own fixed position to bat. This situation demands both flexibility and maximum individual efficiency, regardless of the concurrent game status and time of going into the middle. The team combination has permitted them to adopt an all-out aggressive tactic to post as high a total as possible and provide their quality bowlers sufficient runs to defend. Different ground dimensions, variable pitch conditions, opposition bowlers, match-ups, and instincts have also influenced the batting order and, at times, enforced the group to maintain a left-right combination in the middle. 

India have played five matches yet in the continental competition and are slated to play two more. So far, they have not had a pre-decided batting line-up, and the positions are determined largely while the match is on. In some matches, the order has been a tad wayward and has attracted criticism from several former players, leaving them scratching their heads. Against weaker teams or in relatively insignificant games, the senior batters might give their space to those who have not had much exposure preceding that match. During dead rubbers, this might be more prevalent. For example, the described mould was quite apparent against Oman and Pakistan (super fours), with regards to the batting positions of the skipper Suryakumar Yadav and the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.

Either advantageous or not, it can't be comprehended this soon because the sample size is way too small. However, if it persists until the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, it will become a norm, and the players might get accustomed to it. Any change takes time, and the players adapting to it would fit right into the system. The real test would come against tougher opposition and in a crunch match situation. Until then, however long it sustains, it will be no short of relevance, challenges, and surprises, for sure. Again, it will be either a hit or a miss, and that will be judged based on both individual and team performances. If India keep recording wins, and with the same crop of players, this batting shuffle might lose its sheen and discard itself from the mainstream. 

🗣️ 'When you change his position, you are obliged to give him a longer rope'@cricketaakash on the Sanju Samson question #TimeOut pic.twitter.com/RcayLjl7C3

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 24, 2025

India's current set of batters in T20Is (As seen in the Asia Cup 2025)

Abhishek Sharma (opener), Shubman Gill (opener), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. 

After an intense practice session at the ICC Academy, Sanju Samson made his way down the corridor toward the team bus. Just then, a group of excited fans spotted him and began chanting his name, hoping to catch his attention.

Sanju, always known for his calm nature, smiled, waved, and walked toward the supporters. As he did, India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav lightheartedly shouted: “Local boy! Sanju Samson from Trivandrum,” drawing laughter and cheers from those around.

While many teammates had already taken their seats on the bus, Sanju lingered behind, signing autographs and interacting with the crowd. Adding to the playful moment, someone from inside the bus jokingly called out: “Aaja mera local boy (come, my local boy)!” The fun banter captured the lighthearted camaraderie in the Indian camp and showed Sanju’s warm bond with both fans and teammates.

See Also: ‘Cricket has lost a unique character..’- Indian stalwart pays tribute to legendary umpire Dickie Bird

Sanju Samson’s Warm Bond With Fans:

With close to a million Malayalis residing in the UAE, Sanju Samson is embraced like a hometown star in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Fans gather in huge numbers to cheer him on, celebrating every run. During his match-winning fifty against Oman in Abu Dhabi, the DJ kept spirits high with popular Malayalam hits, especially the chartbuster ‘Illuminati from Aavesham’.

Stadiums in the UAE are filled with banners reading phrases like “Chettam polia” (Brother, you’re awesome) and “Mone Kalaku” (Son, shine bright). A clip of a toddler shouting Sanju’s name has gone viral, while Kerala restaurants constantly buzz about him, with a few even attempting to invite him for dinner through his manager—though unsuccessfully.

Najeeb of Theepori restaurant in Sharjah, said, " You post a short video of him having a meal or even a cup of tea from any hotel on Insta, it would become viral.” Last year, the star cricketer also lent his support as the ambassador of a blood donation drive, further strengthening his bond with fans through his involvement in meaningful community initiatives.

Around ten Sanju Samson fan clubs in the UAE have been eagerly attempting to connect with him, hoping for a quick photo or even a meal together. Ravi George, part of the Gulf Fans Association for Sanju Samson, expressed their excitement and dedication.

That fan said, “ He will be quite busy now. Maybe, once the tournament is over, we can go to the team hotel and take a picture with him. It’s difficult to enter the training premises but some of my friends managed autographs. If he talks, we will invite him for lunch or breakfast.”

Several Malayali associations, numbering over two dozen across the country, are eager to host Sanju Samson. They hope to arrange a reception or a meet-and-greet event to celebrate his growing popularity, Ravi mentioned.

He said, “ I am sure most of them have reached out to him. He was supposed to come for an event in May here, but could not. This time, I would not miss him. I bought tickets for all the games in Dubai, but my son got a fever and I couldn’t attend any. Hopefully, I will watch the Bangladesh game. Hopefully, he gets a big one.”

He further said, “ We love him whether he gets out for a duck or a hundred, but obviously we pray that he scores a match-winning knock every game. We will be there in the stands for all his games. We would be his 12th man.”

Sanju Samson’s 56 off 41 balls at No.3 in Abu Dhabi earned him the man of the match award, but it wasn’t a fluent innings. He mistimed strokes, struggled with strike rotation, and found power hard to generate. Fans noticed it wasn’t the free-flowing Sanju they usually associate with IPL brilliance.

At this stage of his career, Sanju Samson needs consistent backing to settle into the middle order and sharpen his game. Such encouragement would not only boost his confidence but also delight his passionate “local” supporters.

The Pakistan cricket team has confirmed participation in their final Group A fixture against the UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. The crucial encounter will be staged in Dubai and had earlier been clouded by uncertainty due to administrative disputes.

The controversy revolved around the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) ongoing conflict with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding match referee Andy Pycroft. PCB had raised objections over his involvement, even hinting at extreme measures if their concerns were ignored. However, despite the standoff, Pakistan agreed to move forward with the fixture.

Originally slated for a 7:30 pm IST start at the Dubai International Stadium, the do-or-die match has now been shifted to an 8:30 pm IST start. The change in timing was made following PCB’s request, allowing the team more preparation time for what is seen as a must-win clash to keep their campaign alive.

See Also: [In Picture] Tilak Verma gifts his father XEV 9e amid Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan-UAE Clash Delays 1 Hour:

Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign faced heavy uncertainty as reports suggested Salman Ali Agha’s side was told to stay back at the hotel until an official decision came through. Rumors quickly spread that Pakistan might skip the crucial clash against UAE, a move that would automatically eliminate them from the tournament and end their hopes of progressing further.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called in its former chairmen, Ramiz Raja and Najam Sethi, for a meeting with current chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the board’s headquarters. The discussions were held amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the team’s Asia Cup campaign.

During the meeting, the PCB formally requested a delay in Pakistan’s crucial Group A fixture against the UAE. The request sought to push the start time back by one hour to allow further talks over the ongoing controversy. Tournament authorities accepted the appeal, officially authorizing the rescheduling and providing Pakistan additional time to address the matter.

Speaking from Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, PCB spokesperson Amir Mir stated, “ They are discussing the issue and are in touch with Dubai over the matter. The match has been delayed by an hour for now.”

The uncertainty was finally resolved after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that Pakistan’s players had been instructed to head to the stadium. Taking to social media, Naqvi shared the update, confirming that the team would participate in their crucial Group A encounter, putting an end to all speculation surrounding their withdrawal. He tweeted, “ We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow.”

The Handshake Fiasco Between India and Pakistan:

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s recent actions stem from Sunday’s high-profile Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan, where an unexpected controversy emerged. Players from the Indian side chose not to shake hands with their rivals before or after the match, sparking heated debate.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav later explained that the move was intentional. According to him, it was a symbolic gesture to honour the victims of the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack. He further emphasized that the decision also served as a mark of respect for the Indian Armed Forces, who executed Operation Sindoor in response.

Pakistan reacted strongly to the incident, with skipper Salman skipping the post-match presentation in protest. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), condemned India’s conduct as “unsporting.” 

Soon after, Pakistan’s team manager formally complained to the ACC, alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had instructed both captains to avoid the customary handshake at the toss, describing the move as “serious misconduct.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) escalated the matter by approaching the ICC, demanding the removal of Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup referee panel and even threatening to withdraw from the tournament. 

However, the ICC refused to accept their request, prompting intervention from senior UAE officials. They cautioned that broadcaster commitments, sponsorship deals, and ticket sales could all be adversely affected. As a compromise, it was suggested that Pycroft be excluded only from Pakistan’s matches, with Richie Richardson stepping in for the UAE clash.

According to a PTI report, PCB later sent a second letter to the ICC, reiterating its demand for Pycroft’s removal. Once again, the appeal was rejected. Interestingly, Pycroft was initially seen at the Dubai International Stadium but left later, hinting that the proposed compromise was eventually adopted.

After a month-long break, Team India will resume international cricket with their Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, September 10. The Men in Blue enter the tournament on a remarkable run in T20Is, having clinched five consecutive bilateral series and winning 17 of their last 20 matches. 

Their dominant form also includes a flawless campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, where they lifted the trophy unbeaten. Heading into the Asia Cup, India is once again seen as firm favorites, but that doesn’t mean the side is free from selection dilemmas. 

Suryakumar Yadav and the team management face some tricky choices when it comes to finalizing the playing XI, given the balance between bat and ball. The 15-member squad provides multiple combinations, especially in the bowling department. The challenge lies in maintaining batting strength while ensuring the bowling attack remains effective across conditions.

See Also: 'What Is the Need to Play Bumrah?' – Former Indian cricketer questions selection for Asia Cup 2025 clash against UAE

Probable Reasons why India shall go for Spin Duo Kulddep- Varun Together?

India enters the Asia Cup 2025 with a strong bowling unit featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. However, none of these four bowlers are reliable lower-order hitters, which could leave the side exposed with a long tail. This concern may force the management to rotate one of them out of the XI depending on match conditions.

Despite that, the spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy remain crucial to India’s campaign. Their ability to trouble batters on slower, gripping tracks in the UAE gives them a tactical edge. Playing both spinners together will not only boost wicket-taking options in the middle overs but also add variety to the attack.

• India holds the blueprint to balance strengths perfectly in the Asia Cup

India doesn’t have to look far to realize the value of pairing Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. During the Champions Trophy 2025 in ODIs, the Men in Blue relied on both spinners in their final three matches, showcasing how effective the duo can be when included together in the playing XI.

The Champions Trophy 2025, held in the UAE, offered India a clear example of how effective their spin attack can be. In that tournament, the Men in Blue won all three of their final matches with ease, as Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy combined to pick up 13 wickets together, dominating opposition line-ups.

Another highlight was India’s balanced team composition. Despite including both spinners, they managed to extend their batting till No. 8 by playing only one specialist fast bowler, while Hardik Pandya filled in as the second seam option. This approach provided both depth in batting and strength in spin, a strategy that could be replicated in the UAE’s spin-friendly conditions during the Asia Cup 2025.

• Dropping either Kuldeep or Varun may weaken India’s middle-over threat

India’s bowling unit may look balanced on paper, but dropping either Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav could upset that balance. Without one of them, the Men in Blue would rely on just three frontline bowlers, supplemented by all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, which risks weakening their overall bowling depth.

With Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh excelling with the new ball and in death overs, India will likely prefer using the pair mainly at those stages of the innings. Their strength lies in early breakthroughs and closing matches effectively.

This approach, however, shifts greater responsibility onto the middle overs. The bulk of this phase could fall on either Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav, supported by Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube. While Axar and Hardik provide stability with their economical spells, they are better suited to containing runs rather than consistently striking, making a specialist spinner’s role critical.

India’s success in the Champions Trophy was largely built on their ability to pick wickets consistently during the middle overs. Without that breakthrough power, set batters could dominate later stages. Playing both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy enhances India’s bowling depth, keeping pressure on opponents across all phases and increasing the team’s chances of repeating past Asia Cup successes with a well-rounded attack.

• Varun and Kuldeep’s form boosts balance and impact for India

Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy currently stand among the finest white-ball spinners in world cricket. Since his comeback to the national side last year, Varun has consistently impressed, establishing himself as the top-performing T20I bowler globally.

Varun Chakaravarthy has been in sensational form, claiming 31 wickets in just 12 T20Is at an impressive average of 11.25 and an economy of 7.85. His consistency makes him a proven match-winner.

Conversely, Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in India’s flawless 2024 T20 World Cup run, claiming 10 wickets across five games at an impressive average of 13.90, while maintaining an economy below seven. Even without recent T20Is, his ODI and IPL performances underline his continued white-ball excellence.

Fielding both spinners together gives India flexibility and unpredictability. With Kuldeep dominating the middle overs, Varun’s versatility to bowl at different stages could help India dismantle key partnerships in the Asia Cup 2025.

The hosts UAE, will open up their account in the Asia Cup 2025 by facing off against the tournament favorites, India, on September 10 at Dubai International Stadium. The host nation is placed in Group A, alongside India, Oman, and Pakistan, and will play all its league fixtures in Dubai. Led by the explosive pinch-hitter Muhammed Waseem, the UAE will certainly be fancying their chances of delivering a positive impact in the eight-nation continental tournament. 

The UAE has made regular appearances in earlier editions of the Asia Cup but would often end up falling short. But in recent times, the tiny Gulf nation has made astronomical advancements in its game. The UAE now has at least one T20I win against two full-member Asian teams (Bangladesh & Afghanistan), while also maintaining a formidable win record against its Arab neighbor, Oman. 

Although dejected with the recent tri-series heartbreak, the group poses a stern challenge as UAE’s home advantage gives them a real opportunity to stun star-studded teams like India and Pakistan. To truly punch above their weight, they must stay disciplined, seize key moments, and manage the physical and mental demands of a high-stakes tournament. With that being said, we perform a comprehensive SWOT analysis to determine how the hosts are shaping up ahead of their all-important Asia Cup campaign.

See also: Top 3 players to watch from UAE ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Strengths

• Home Advantage & Venue Familiarity: With all matches hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE players benefit from familiarity with pitch conditions and climate, particularly valuable in adapting to factors like humidity and dew.
• Inspiring Leadership from Match-Winner Muhammad Waseem: Captain Muhammad Waseem brings explosive batting prowess and substantial experience. He impressed in the DP World ILT20, showcasing his match-winning capability, and played a crucial role in guiding the UAE to Asia Cup qualification. Waseem now holds the record for having the best T20I strike rate as a UAE batter and is only the second-highest six getter after Rohit Sharma in the T20Is.
• Fitness, Fielding, and Mental Toughness Emphasis: Under coach Lalchand Rajput, the squad is focusing on grit and resilience, with a strong push toward improved fitness and sharper fielding. Rajput has a demonstrated track record of assisting full-member nations like India and Zimbabwe in achieving excellence in multiple facets of the game.
• Valuable Exposure via Tri-Series Preparation: Although the UAE failed to register a single victory in the tri-series, facing up against Asian powerhouses like Pakistan and Afghanistan has made them battle-hardened. The host nation has undergone a crucial dress rehearsal prior to the start of its Asia Cup campaign. The defeats will have surely given them a taste of what it is like to experience high-pressure match situations.

Weaknesses

• Facing a Grueling Group A Showdown: UAE is grouped with cricket powerhouses India and Pakistan, alongside regional rival Oman. This makes qualification for the Super Four extremely demanding. 
• Dependence on Key Individuals: The squad’s success hinges significantly on standout performers like Waseem and a few others. Depth across the line-up remains limited.
• Limited Consistent Success Against Elite Teams: Apart from the 2-1 series win against Bangladesh, competitive wins against other high-ranking sides remain few and far between, with recent defeats against Pakistan and Afghanistan in preparatory tri-series matches highlighting inconsistency.

Opportunities

• Perfect Platform for a Landmark Upset: T20 cricket’s unpredictable nature works in the UAE’s favor. Rajput emphasizes that a single moment of brilliance could tilt matches. His bold vision turned out to be spot on during Bangladesh's tour to the UAE. Bangladesh ended up paying a heavy price for their complacency. After taking an early 1-0 lead, the Tigers lowered their guard, and the UAE, banking on their unprecedented brilliance, were able to outshine the Asia nation and stun them eventually, by taking the series 2-1.   
• Talent Showcase Leading to Wider Recognition: Strong performances at home could elevate UAE players’ profiles and potentially open doors in T20 franchise leagues, thus resulting in wider player recognition.
• Boost to Team Confidence & National Cricket Growth: Building on recent successes, winning (or competing closely) against top teams could fuel cricket’s growth and popularity within the UAE.

Threats

• Highly Competitive Group Stage: With India and Pakistan in the group, the UAE faces steep competition, and any slip-up could mean an early exit.
• High Stakes Lead to High Pressure: As hosts and a rising associate team, expectations are high. If not managed, this pressure could impact performance under tension.
• Physical Strain from Harsh Conditions: UAE’s extreme September heat and humidity may take a toll, particularly for fast bowlers, despite evening match schedules

Predicted playing XL: Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Ethan D’Souza, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Farooq, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Saghir Khan, Junaid Siddique

A crucial match for Pakistan after a stinging defeat against Afghanistan. Today (September 4, 2025), Salman Ali Agha and his boys are ready to face the United Arab Emirates at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The UAE cricket team proved to be the most vulnerable of the ongoing Tri-Nation T20I series. On the other side, Pakistan, despite sustaining a setback against Afghanistan, is still on top of the table. 

Toss update:

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first. In their previous match, which was against Afghanistan, Pakistan fell short by 18 runs when they were chasing a competitive total. Pakistan's bowling department did well; it was their batting that led them down. Though batting first on the seemingly slow surface of Sharjah Cricket Stadium can be tricky for them. For the UAE, they have nothing to lose. They can try to deposit it all to gain the maximum result.

The first few overs of the first innings are going to be very crucial for both Pakistan and UAE, mostly because of the nature of the wicket. Batters may have to face a different, possibly trickier situation after the ball loses its shine. And during the second innings, spinners or slow bowlers may have to take the center of the stage. Interestingly, batting second team faces more difficulties than the batting first team. In all four games so far, with the average second-inning total hovering just north of 150, hinting that batting first has offered the upper hand. 

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Playing XIs:

United Arab Emirates—Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Ethan D'Souza, Rahul Chopra (WK), Asif Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Rohid, and Junaid Siddique.

Pakistan—Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub (C), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (WK), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, and Abrar Ahmed.

The Asia Cup 2025 is just a few days away, and the anticipation is ever-building for the eight-team mega T20 international competition. The biennial event is slated to commence on September 9, 2025, and run until September 28, 2025. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays host to the continental tournament, with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi selected as the venues for the 19 matches. The former will host the final to decide the Asian champions for 2025, preceding the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The eight teams competing are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, Afghanistan, Oman, and Hong Kong, divided into two groups of four. The group stage is followed by a Super-4 round, and then the top two teams face off in the final for Asian glory.

As is evident in the past, the tournament has witnessed some exciting battles, with players taking centre-stage and emerging as match winners for their respective countries. This edition promises to go a step ahead in delivering that same drama and adrenaline rush for everyone alike. Teams are expected to field relatively younger sides with new heroes in the fray for snatching headlines and eventually becoming the mainstays. This upholds the prevailing excitement and appreciates the anticipation around, with the right ingredients for witnessing intense and mouth-watering cricket contests. In a format driven by strategies, tactics, statistics, and analytics, match-ups and head-to-head individual tussles often hold the power to swing the pendulum towards either of the teams. They have a fair say in the decision of the match, and the majority of the outcomes are hence dependent on them. This fetches the focus and attention on the top three player match-ups to keep a curious eye on in the upcoming Asia Cup. 

See Also: Four costliest drops in Asia Cup history ft. Arshdeep Singh

Shubman Gill Vs Shaheen Shah Afridi

Back in the T20 circuit for India and now also as the vice-captain, Shubman Gill is going through a purple patch in his playing career. Having had a great Indian Premier League (IPL) season and backing it up with some stupendous batting performances in the test series in England, the talismanic batter is expected to open the innings with his state-mate Abhishek Sharma. In IPL 2025, he churned 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87, playing as an opener for the Gujarat Titans, and that tally seems pivotal for his return in the mix. He, however, in a marquee clash against the arch-rivals, will be pitted against Pakistan's ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose left-arm angle can cause issues for the Indian batter. Shaheen had an impeccable Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season and led his Lahore Qalandars side to the title as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He amassed 19 wickets at an average of 16.42 and an economy of 7.76. He is currently playing in a T20I tri-series involving Afghanistan and the UAE in Sharjah, and scalped 2 wickets for 21 runs in the first match against the Afghanis. The duo will be matching up against each other for the very first occasion in the T20 format. 

SALMAN AGHA Vs RASHID KHAN

The match-up stands tall among all the individual face-offs that the game between Afghanistan and Pakistan throws. The latter enter the tournament with an inexperienced batting line-up, devoid of the stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their current skipper, Salman Agha, has been in a great nick and is arguably their best batter alongside Fakhar Zaman. In the ongoing tri-series in the UAE, it was the Pakistan captain who played an impressive knock of 53 runs to help his side post a winning total against Afghanistan. Rashid Khan's spin bowling exploits are well-renowned across the cricketing world, and his performances, coupled with leadership duties, will be crucial in Afghanistan's longevity in the competition. In the first two matches of the tri-series, he has been successful in accumulating 4 wickets at an insane average of 11.75. 

Pathum Nissanka Vs Mustafizur Rahman

Arguably, Sri Lanka's best white ball batter among the present crop of players, Pathum Nissanka, for a long time has been the backbone of the island nation's run scoring. He often sets the tone as an opener, and his contingent style of batting enables him to play several roles. He can be explosive or lead as an anchor depending on the game situation. Currently touring Zimbabwe, he won the man of the series award for his scintillating batting performances in the ODI rubber. Sri Lanka will hope that he stays consistent and serves his nation for as long as possible. The fixture against Bangladesh has emerged as a new rivalry in Asian cricket, with some very close and nail-biting thrillers, over the recent years, upholding this fact. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh's premier fast bowler, holds immense potential to wreak havoc among the Lankan batters, and the latter will certainly have to be wary of his immaculate bowling skills. 

Besides these three essential and top match-ups, there can be several other subtle moments in a fixture that can determine the eventualities. T20 cricket is a game of fine margins with little scope for error. The format of the Asia Cup contains the group, round-robin, and knockout stages. It tests every team against the other, and to be crowned the Asian T20I Champions for 2025, sides will have to bring in their premium quality game against some tough oppositions, and in extreme heat weather conditions of the Gulf region. 

The Asia Cup 2025 is knocking on the door, where India will play to defend their title. Along with India, Pakistan cricket will be there to prove themselves. For this edition of the Asia Cup, a total of 8 teams will be in the race for the glory. Out of nowhere, the head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a warning for both India and Pakistan, the two Asian cricket giants.

UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput does not want to treat them as the underdog of the tournament. They are preparing for the tournament after registering notable wins over test-playing nations Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The coach warned the big teams of the tournament by saying that they are heading towards the contest to fight for every inch of the field. 

"The crucial phase is beginning for the UAE team. Beating test-playing countries, especially Bangladesh, gave us a lot of confidence. It’s not about overconfidence; it’s about believing we can compete and win against anyone. You never know; anything can happen. We can upset any team," Rajput said during a recent interview. 

Read More: ICC Women's ODI World Cup: Strongest playing XI for India

Aim for bigger upsets!

Rajput tries to put focus on the mindset and the fitness of his boys. He emphasized fitness, skill, and fielding to perform at the highest order against the strong opponents. By keeping their momentum in a rhythm, the UAE cricket team is hoping to pull out upsets in the Asia Cup 2025. 

"We are focusing on skills, fitness, and fielding. Playing against better teams requires players to be mentally strong and physically fit. Fitness is very important. Players’ improvement and form are essential. They cannot remain stagnant. We want to keep building on the momentum. If you can beat a team like Bangladesh, why not aim for bigger upsets? Our players are excited and ready to take that challenge," he added.

All in all, cricket lovers are sitting on treats for tons of T20 action as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE will vie in a tri-nation T20I series at Sharjah from 29 August to 7 September 2025. The series is a crucial precursor to the Asia Cup T20 2025 and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Why This Series Matters

This tri-series would be perfect for teams to test their combinations, adapt to conditions in the UAE, and build some momentum with the Asia Cup barely days away and ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan Cricket Board first scheduled a bilateral series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but plans evolved into a tri-series with the UAE joining as hosts so that all three teams get meaningful exposure before the two big tournaments.

Full Schedule – T20I Tri-Series 2025

• All matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Context & Build-Up

• Pakistan is currently involved in a T20I series against the West Indies and will be eager to bounce back after a recent 2-1 series defeat to Bangladesh.
  
• Afghanistan return to T20I cricket for the first time since December 2024, when they edged past Zimbabwe in a tight 2-1 series.
  
• UAE, meanwhile, comes into the tournament high on confidence after upsetting Bangladesh in a historic home series win in May.
  

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T20I Head-to-Head – Pakistan vs Afghanistan at Sharjah

The opening game between Pakistan and Afghanistan promises fireworks, as the two teams have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years.

Eyes on the Asia Cup

The ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 will begin on 9 September, just two days after the tri-series final, making this series crucial for selection decisions and tactical preparation.

Asia Cup 2025 – Group Stage Draw

Key matches:

• 9 Sept: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong (Opening game)
  
• 12 Sept: Pakistan vs Oman
  
• 14 Sept: Pakistan vs India – Blockbuster clash
  

With three hungry teams, a balanced format, and familiar conditions, the tri-series in Sharjah is more than just a warm-up, it’s a dress rehearsal for continental and global glory. Expect high-octane cricket, emerging stars, and critical answers for selectors as the road to the T20 World Cup heats up.