Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson and skipper Salman Ali Agha are expected to stick with the same all-rounder-heavy combination that has worked for them in recent months as they prepare to take on India in the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 T20 clash in Dubai on September 14.
The Men in Green, who last beat India in a T20 Asia Cup encounter back in 2022, have since restructured their T20 approach. From a bowling-dominant unit, Pakistan have evolved into a more balanced side, with multiple all-rounders providing batting depth and bowling variety. Haris Rauf, once among their leading wicket-takers, was even benched against Oman to accommodate pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Dilemma for Pakistan against India
The key question for Pakistan is whether three frontline bowlers will be enough against India’s in-form batting lineup. With Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma ranked among the world’s top T20I batters and Suryakumar Yadav at sixth, India have posted mammoth totals of over 280 in the past year. In such conditions, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufiyan Muqeem will shoulder the responsibility of leading Pakistan’s attack.
However, Pakistan’s spin-friendly strategy at the Dubai International Stadium may still pay dividends. Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Saim Ayub provide crucial balance, with Nawaz coming off a hat-trick and Faheem having claimed a 4-wicket haul earlier this month.
Predicted Pakistan Playing XI vs India
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Sahibzada Farhan
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Saim Ayub
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Fakhar Zaman
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Salman Ali Agha (c)
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Hasan Nawaz
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Mohammad Haris (wk)
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Faheem Ashraf
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Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Abrar Ahmed
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Sufiyan Muqeem
Bench: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Salman Mirza
All signs point to Pakistan retaining their unchanged XI, banking on spin depth and all-round strength to challenge a dominant Indian side.
