PCB Chairman meets players, coach

Dubai: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday visited the International Cricket Council (ICC) academy in Dubai.

The purpose of the visit is to encourage Pakistani team players before the high octane match against arch rival India in the Super Four Round of the Asia Cup 2025 today.

When the PCB Chairman arrived at the academy Pakistan cricket team were busy in the practice session.

Mohsin Naqvi met with Pakistani coach Mike Hesson, skipper Salman Ali Agha and other players of the team.

The PCB Chairman in his meeting with the team tried to boost up the morale of the team before a crucial match between Pakistan and India.

On the other hand, Pakistan have decided to bring various vital changes in the team before another high octane match against arch rival India for first match of Super Four round of Asia Cup 2025, on Sunday, tomorrow.

Under the expected changes, Saim Ayub likely to be bat at number 4 or 5 position while it has been decided to include Fahim Ashraf or Hussain Talat replacing Hassan Nawaz from the team.

There is no chance of inclusion of Sufyan Muqeem in the team as Harris Rauf will play the Sunday match.

On the other hand, Muhammad Haris or Fakhar Zaman will kick off the innings from Pakistan side.

The most anticipated match will be played at 7:30 pm in Dubai International Stadium.

Former Pakistan cricketers have in their analysis said that the Sunday game traditionally between Pakistan and India will be more tough and the green team need the best preparations.

They said that Pakistan will have to adopt a balance between its bating and bowling and this match is going to be a big match.

Pakistan have gotten an opportunity to do away with their mistakes of earlier match and there will be a different environment in the Sunday face off.

India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup on Sunday, renewing one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries a week after their last match was overshadowed by a handshake row.

India won the September 14 group match by seven wickets in Dubai and afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan.

It was the first meeting between the neighbours since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.

The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had told skipper Salman Agha not to approach Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss.

The PCB demanded Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team Twenty20 competition.

Their last group game was held up for an hour before the PCB said Pycroft had apologised and the match, with the Zimbabwean in charge, eventually went ahead.

Pakistan beat hosts the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and set up another meeting with India in Dubai.

Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday’s clash.

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav sought to defuse the controversy.

“When you step onto the field it’s just a batter in front of you. I have always approached it this way against Pakistan,” he said ahead of India’s last group game, against Oman on Friday.

Agha also stuck to sport.

“If we play good cricket like we have played in the last few months I think we’ll be good against any side,” the Pakistan captain told reporters.

Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.

Tensions soared ahead of the Asia Cup after the two countries engaged in their worst conflict since 1999.

The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

The conflict was triggered by an April attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge Islamabad denies.

India resisted calls to boycott the first Pakistan match.

A potential third India-Pakistan showdown looms if both sides qualify for the final on September 28 in Dubai.

India lifted the Asia Cup in its last, 50-over edition and are favourites to retain the crown.

India and Pakistan advanced to the next stage from Group A while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualified from Group B.

Sri Lanka face Bangladesh on Saturday in the first Super Fours fixture

PCB Chairman meets players, coach to boost team morale before Pakistan, India crucial match