Get Ready to Enjoy Three Consecutive Sundays in September – Possible Triple India-Pakistan Clashes!
Karachi: In the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and Pakistan may face off not just once or twice, but three times! The match dates have now been officially announced. Interestingly, the first India-Pakistan clash will take place on a Sunday. If both teams make it to the Super-Four stage, their second meeting will also fall on the following Sunday. And if both reach the final — which is set for the last Sunday of September — fans will witness a third high-voltage encounter on yet another Sunday.
So, millions of cricket fans can look forward to back-to-back India-Pakistan clashes over three consecutive Sundays — a rare and thrilling prospect in world cricket.
Though India is the official host for the T20 Asia Cup, it was announced two days ago that the tournament will be played in the UAE. Now, the dates have also been confirmed, and the full schedule is expected to be released soon. The tournament will be held from September 9 to 28, and both India and Pakistan have been placed in the same Group A.
According to a PTI report, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi officially announced the match dates on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
The group-stage match between India and Pakistan will be played in Dubai on Sunday, September 14. If both teams qualify for the Super Four, they will meet again on Sunday, September 21, also in Dubai. If both teams reach the final on Sunday, September 28, that will be their third potential clash.
Although India is the nominal host of the T20-format Asia Cup, due to the mutual agreement between India and Pakistan to play only at neutral venues until 2027, the tournament was decided to be held in the UAE. This announcement was made on July 24.
Reportedly, ACC has reached an understanding with broadcasters to place India and Pakistan in the same group to ensure marquee clashes. India’s first match in the tournament will be against UAE on September 10.
Group A includes India, Pakistan, host UAE, and Oman.
Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
This 19-match tournament allows each team to have a 17-player squad, and matches will be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Since the next T20 World Cup is to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup is being held in the T20 format to help teams prepare.