When was the last time India played Pakistan in a T20I, and what was the outcome?
The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is set for 14th September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The encounter will be the sixth match of the tournament and promises another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two cricketing giants. T20I: Both teams enter the contest with strong momentum. Suryakumar Yadav’s India demolished the UAE by nine wickets, while Salman Agha’s Pakistan secured a dominant 93-run victory over Oman. With both Oman and UAE suffering opening defeats, the winner of this match will book a spot in the Super Four, making this battle crucial for both sides. India and Pakistan have produced countless thrilling moments in T20Is over the years. Though the contests often go down to the wire, it is India who hold the upper hand historically, boasting the majority of wins in their head-to-head meetings. When Did India Last Face Pakistan in a T20I? India and Pakistan are set to face each other again after a gap of seven months. Their most recent encounter was at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where Rohit Sharma’s side comfortably defeated Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the T20I format, their last clash came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. It was a thrilling contest in which India snatched a narrow six-run victory over Pakistan. Asked to bat first on a challenging pitch in New York, India managed just 119 runs. Rishabh Pant, batting at number three, top-scored with a resilient 42. T20I Contributions also came from Axar Patel (20) and Rohit Sharma (13), while the rest of the batting lineup struggled for single-digit scores. T20I: Chasing the target, Pakistan seemed in control at 73/2, with Mohammad Rizwan playing a brilliant 31. However, Jasprit Bumrah produced a game-changing spell, reducing Pakistan to 107/7 in no time. Pakistan could only reach 113/7, giving India a thrilling six-run win. Bumrah claimed three wickets, Hardik Pandya took two, and both Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel also chipped in with wickets. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Team India Responds to Pakistan Clash Amid Boycott Calls: ‘Once BCCI Approves…’
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the team’s approach to playing against Pakistan amid ongoing boycott calls. He emphasized that the squad is concentrating solely on preparing for the match and putting their performance on the field first, leaving external controversies aside. Kotak Emphasises Focus Amid India-Pakistan Asia Cup Controversy Team India’s assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak has reiterated that the squad’s focus remains on performing against Pakistan in the Group A match of the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. He stressed that there is no room for distractions from outside noise within the camp. As the match approaches, calls for a boycott have intensified, with many fans in India expressing displeasure over the decision to play Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Social media is abuzz with criticism of the BCCI for agreeing to the fixture despite national sentiment. Before the tournament, the Indian government clarified its policy, permitting teams to face Pakistan in multilateral events. After the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Many expected India to take a firm stand in multi-nation tournaments, but the Asia Cup schedule proved otherwise. India could potentially face Pakistan three times in this edition of the Asia Cup—first in the group stage on Sunday, then in the Super 4s, and possibly in the final. Kotak emphasised that the team must stay focused on the game rather than external controversies. “Once we are here to play, we are focused on playing cricket. I personally don’t think there is anything on my mind apart from playing cricket. That is what we are focusing on,” Kotak told reporters in Dubai on Friday. “I think for players and us, once the BCCI says and they are aligned with the government, we are here to prepare and play. It will be a competitive game. IND vs Pak is always competitive, so we would rather focus on that,” he added. The handshake saga Earlier this week, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav faced trolling and criticism on social media after a video emerged showing him shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha during the official captain’s press conference. Suryakumar was also seen greeting Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi. Following India’s game against the UAE, he spoke about his team’s excitement to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Reports suggest that ticket sales for the upcoming India-Pakistan clash are underwhelming, with many seats still available. Several prominent social media handles in India have confirmed via X that they plan to boycott the match. With the current public mood, it remains uncertain whether television ratings will soar or see a decline during the highly anticipated contest. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Matthew Hayden’s daring bet: Promises to walk naked if Joe Root scores a century in Ashes 2025-26
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has expressed confidence that England’s Joe Root will register his first Test century in Australia during the Ashes 2025-26. Root is expected to play a pivotal role for England in the highly anticipated series later this year. Root, who has scored over 13,500 runs, is the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, with 39 centuries to his name. Despite his prolific career, he has yet to score a Test century on Australian soil. In 14 Tests in Australia, Root has accumulated 892 runs, including nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 89. Interestingly, all four of Root’s Test centuries against Australia have come at home in England. The 34-year-old has also never reached triple figures in Australia in ODIs or T20Is. As a result, the Ashes 2025-26 presents him with a chance to achieve his maiden century in Australia across international formats. Matthew Hayden promises to walk nude at MCG if Joe Root fails to score a century Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden has made a bold prediction ahead of the Ashes 2025-26, expressing confidence that England’s Joe Root will break his century drought in Australia. Speaking on the All Over Bar the Cricket podcast on YouTube, Matthew Hayden jokingly declared that he would walk nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root fails to score a hundred during the series. “I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred this summer,” Matthew Hayden said. Root has been in sensational form in Test cricket since 2021. During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, he surpassed the likes of Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Matthew Hayden also topped the charts for England in the five-match series, amassing 537 runs at an average of 67.12. The Ashes 2025-26 is set to begin on November 21 with the opening Test in Perth, while the fifth and final Test will take place from January 4-8, 2026, in Sydney. This series will mark the second Test series for both England and Australia in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-27 cycle. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Sachin Tendulkar Addresses Speculation About Becoming Next BCCI President: ‘Being Considered or Nominated…’
Sachin Tendulkar has addressed rumours, confirming he is not in contention to become the next BCCI President. Sachin Tendulkar Denies BCCI President Speculation Former India batter Sachin Tendulkar has clarified that he is not in contention to become the next president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Recent rumours suggested he might replace Roger Binny, but SRT Sports Management Pvt Ltd issued an official statement dismissing such reports. “It has come to our attention that certain reports and rumours have been circulating regarding Mr. Sachin Tendulkar being considered, or nominated, for the position of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI),” the statement read. “We wish to categorically state that no such development has taken place. We urge all concerned to refrain from giving credence to unfounded speculations.” The BCCI president post is currently vacant after Roger Binny stepped down earlier this year upon turning 70, in line with the board’s age-limit rules. Vice-president Rajeev Shukla is serving as acting president until elections are held at the upcoming BCCI Annual General Meeting on September 28. Speculation around Tendulkar’s potential candidacy stemmed from media reports and the growing trend of former cricketers taking up the top post, a practice that began in 2019 when Sourav Ganguly assumed the presidency before being succeeded by Binny. Sachin Tendulkar hasn’t held any administrative post It is important to note that Sachin Tendulkar has never held an administrative position, and eligibility for the BCCI president role requires being an active member of a state cricket association. While every former India player automatically becomes a member of their respective state association, contesting any office-bearer post requires a formal nomination from that association. Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history. He holds numerous records, including the most runs in both Tests and ODIs, and the highest number of centuries in Test cricket. Although he once held the record for most ODI centuries, Virat Kohli surpassed him during the 2023 World Cup, fittingly at Wankhede Stadium in the semi-final against New Zealand. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
“Idhar Mat Dekho”: Suryakumar Yadav Reacts to Muhammad Waseem’s Cheeky Move – Watch
Suryakumar Yadav shared a light-hearted moment with UAE captain Muhammad Waseem during the toss ahead of their Asia Cup clash. Suryakumar Yadav Shares Light Moment at Toss A jovial Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in India’s opening Asia Cup 2025 game, opting to have the United Arab Emirates bat first in Dubai. Introduced by Sanjay Manjrekar and asked to flip the coin while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made the call, Suryakumar shared a playful moment with his counterpart, resulting in broad smiles from both players. Just before tossing the coin, Suryakumar leaned over to Waseem, grinned, covered the coin, and said, “Idhar mat dekho (don’t look here),” prompting laughter and a light-hearted exchange between the two skippers. A jovial Suryakumar Yadav won the toss in India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener, opting to have the United Arab Emirates bat first in Dubai. Introduced by Sanjay Manjrekar and asked to flip the coin while UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made the call, Suryakumar shared a playful moment with his counterpart, resulting in broad smiles from both players. Just before tossing the coin, Suryakumar leaned over to Waseem, grinned, covered the coin, and said, “Idhar mat dekho (don’t look here),” prompting laughter and a light-hearted exchange between the two skippers. The friendly banter continued as the pair crossed paths after the toss presentation. They exchanged words, parted with smiles, and demonstrated a mutual respect for each other ahead of the contest. Change of toss fortunes for India Captain Suryakumar Yadav ended India’s long run of bad luck at the toss, marking the first time in 15 attempts that an Indian captain won the toss in international cricket. Choosing to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he asked opening batter Muhammad Waseem to face up under the evening lights, aiming to capitalize on chasing conditions. India’s lineup for the opener features Shubman Gill partnering Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson takes on a new role in the middle order. Jasprit Bumrah leads as the lone frontline seamer, supported by Hardik Pandya and potentially Shivam Dube, who remains a key player in the shortest format. A trio of spinners, combined with a strong contingent of all-rounders, completes India’s balanced squad for the opening match. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
‘Who Called India No.1?’: Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav Dismiss Asia Cup Favourite Tag
Asia Cup: India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha stress T20 cricket’s unpredictability, downplaying India’s top ranking. India Enter Asia Cup 2025 as Overwhelming Favourites With a record eight Asia Cup titles, current form as reigning T20 World champions, a balanced squad, and power-packed players, India enters the 2025 Asia Cup as the overwhelming favourite. The number one-ranked T20 side will begin their campaign against the UAE on Wednesday, while the tournament officially opens with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong on Tuesday. Ahead of the action, captains of all eight participating teams gathered for a pre-tournament press conference. During the presser, both India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha were asked about India’s status as the top-ranked team. Both chose to downplay the question. When informed by a journalist that India is being treated as the form favourite by a wide margin, Suryakumar responded with a smile, “Kisne bola? Maine toh nahi suna (Who said this? I didn’t hear anything of this sort). We are playing this format for a long time. If your preparations are good, you enter the field with a lot of confidence.” India Ready After Long T20 Break, Pakistan Cautions on Format’s Unpredictability India haven’t played as a T20 unit for a long time, with their last international match being against England at home earlier this year. Suryakumar Yadav, however, said the team reached the UAE early and has already had a few productive practice sessions. “Yes, we are playing after a long time. But we landed here three to four days back. We have had some good practice sessions. So we are really looking forward to this tournament,” he said. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged India as strong favourites but stressed the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. “In T20s, I don’t really think anyone is favourite, because on a particular day you have to play good cricket. It’s a very fast game. In one or two overs, the game can change,” he said. Pakistan entered the Asia Cup after winning the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan. “The tri-series was always a preparation. If you won it, that’s very good. If you didn’t, we still have to play, come here, play good cricket, and aim to win the Asia Cup.” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Virat Kohli’s Fierce Persona Compared to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Angry Young Man’: A Post-Fab Four Necessity for India
Bangar stated that Kohli’s fiery demeanor mirrors his true personality, reminiscent of the intensity and defiance of Bachchan’s 1970s “angry young man” era. Sanjay Bangar Compares Virat Kohli’s On-Field Fire to Amitabh Bachchan’s “Angry Young Man” Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar drew a striking parallel between Virat Kohli’s fiery on-field persona and Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary “angry young man” roles that defined Bollywood in the 1970s. Kohli, known for his aggressive attitude, never hesitated to confront opponents, constantly keeping pressure on them. During his captaincy, India adopted an assertive approach in Test cricket, achieving a historic series win in Australia, challenging strongly in England and South Africa, and instilling the belief that the team could succeed anywhere in the world. Bangar explained that Kohli’s intensity wasn’t just a show, but a true reflection of his personality, reminiscent of the defiance that defined Bachchan’s iconic roles. “Virat Kohli has a natural character, like brash, in your face, and that was his natural character. A natural character always feels right. Why did Amitabh Bachchan’s films work in the 1975-1980 era? It was because there was this thought of an angry young man, and in the Indian society, anger was somewhere simmering,” Bangar said on DD Sports. “Virat Kohli had to take cricket forward after Fab 4 retired” Former India coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach arrived at a crucial juncture for Indian cricket. With the “Fab Four” — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly — retired, the team faced a leadership and identity gap. Bangar emphasised that Indian cricket needed a fresh voice to usher in a new era of intensity and competitiveness. “Indian cricket needed some aggression because our fabulous four had retired, and Kohli had to take cricket forward, which he did in his own style. He changed India’s image completely in how they approach Test cricket,” Bangar added. Earlier this year, Kohli retired from Test cricket after playing 123 matches in his 14-year red-ball career. Making his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies, he became India’s standout batter after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013. Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, at an average of 46.85. He also captained India in 68 Tests, becoming the nation’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Shreyas Iyer’s India A captaincy boosts Test comeback hopes as Karun Nair faces uncertain future
Shreyas Iyer to captain India A in two multi-day matches against Australia A starting September 16 in Lucknow. Shreyas Iyer Elevated as India A Captain, Karun Nair’s Test Future in Doubt Shreyas Iyer might have been overlooked for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, but the batter has been elevated to India A captaincy, leading the side in two multi-day matches against Australia A, beginning September 16 in Lucknow. Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes this move clears the path for the 30-year-old to make a Test comeback. Shreyas Iyer was not named in India’s squad for the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England. He last played a Test in 2024 but was sidelined following injury and his reluctance to play the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai. Although ousted from the central contracts list, strong performances in white-ball cricket earned him a return. Speaking on Shreyas Iyer captaincy, Chopra also discussed Karun Nair’s uncertain Test future. In the series against England, Nair managed just one fifty in eight innings, scoring 205 runs. After eight years, he had earned a place in the Test squad, but despite his 2016 Chennai triple century fame, he failed to capitalize on starts in the UK. “Shreyas Iyer is the captain of India A for the multi-day matches against Australia A. Dhruv Jurel is the vice-captain. Abhimanyu Easwaran used to be the captain, but that is no longer the case. He is a member of the team, but he is not the captain. If you see the last few tours, there has always been a new captain. The leadership of late has been a case of musical chairs,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. Chopra added, “Why has Shreyas been elevated as the captain? It is because the No.3 and No.6 slots in Tests are still open. Sai Sudharsan and Easwaran are also in the squad, but Karun Nair is not there. It is a big step because Karun asked for a second chance, and he was given that. He performed okay-okay; he was shuffled up and down the batting order. I thought the upcoming West Indies series would see Karun Nair being included.” ‘Karun Nair won’t play further’ Aakash Chopra believes Karun Nair’s path has become tricky, with all signs pointing to his exclusion from India’s upcoming home series against the West Indies, beginning October 2. Chopra also highlighted that Shreyas Iyer now has the opportunity to cement his place in the Test playing XI and could shine if selected for the series. “Unfortunately, it looks like you won’t see Karun Nair playing further. He is fit but not picked; it seems the selectors have decided to look past him. Shreyas is interesting. He was not picked for the Asia Cup, and there was a lot of backlash. Now he finds himself at the helm of the India A team,” said Chopra. “Looking at the Indian team’s next few assignments, you would think that Shreyas will play two of the three formats. He plays ODIs, and I think he would get a chance in Tests in the upcoming series against the West Indies and South Africa. The kind of pitches there are in India, I think, he will score runs. The door has opened up for him, and nicely,” he added. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
BCCI Announces India A Squad for Unofficial Test Series Against Australia A; Shreyas Iyer Appointed Captain
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of India A for the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against Australia A. On Saturday, 6th September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member India A squad for the series, with the star middle-order batter entrusted with the leadership role. India A will host Australia A for two unofficial Tests and three one-day matches, starting Tuesday, 16th September. Iyer, who was left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad and not even included among the traveling reserves, will now have the chance to lead the side. Test Series: Earlier this year, he also missed selection for India’s five-match away Test tour of England, despite consistent performances across formats over the past year. Iyer did, however, captain Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the IPL 2025 final, where they narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The selection committee has now placed their trust in him, handing him the captaincy for the upcoming unofficial Test series. Shreyas Iyer to Lead India A in Unofficial Test Series Against Australia A Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of India A for the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against Australia A. This comes after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee faced criticism for leaving Iyer out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, despite his scintillating form and status as India’s leading run-scorer in the ICC Champions 2025 campaign. The series offers Iyer a perfect platform to stake his claim for a spot in India’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. The unofficial four-day Tests will begin on September 16, with the second match starting on September 23, both at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Dhruv Jurel will serve as vice-captain and wicketkeeper alongside Iyer. Key batters in the squad include Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, N. Jagadeesan, and Devdutt Padikkal. Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar, both in fine form in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2025-26, have been left out. The BCCI also announced that star batter KL Rahul and pacer Mohammed Siraj will join the squad ahead of the second Test, though it has not specified which two players they will replace. India A Squad – Two-Match Unofficial Test Series vs Australia AShreyas Iyer (Captain), Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, N. Jagadeesan (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Prasidh Krishna, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
BCCI Set to Earn Additional ₹500 Crore as New Jersey Sponsors Pay ₹3.5 Crore Per Match: Report
The BCCI has revised its jersey branding rights, fixing new rates at INR 3.5 crore for bilateral matches and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games. BCCI Hikes Base Price for Team India Jersey Sponsorship The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly raised the stakes for sponsors looking to associate with the Indian cricket team, setting new and higher base prices for jersey branding rights. The revised rates come as the board opens up bidding for a fresh three-year sponsorship cycle. According to a report published in Cricbuzz, industry sources indicate that the BCCI has fixed the new reserve price at INR 3.5 crore per match for bilateral fixtures and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games, including tournaments under the ICC and ACC. These rates reflect a modest increase from the outgoing sponsor Dream11’s terms, which were INR 3.17 crore for bilateral games and INR 1.12 crore for multilateral ones. The move marks a targeted uplift of over 10 percent in valuation for bilateral contests and close to three percent for multilateral matches. The discrepancy between the two categories is attributed to the visibility factor. Sponsors gain prominent placement on the front of the Indian jersey during bilateral games, whereas ICC and ACC events restrict branding to the sleeves, offering limited exposure. BCCI Eyes New Sponsorship Deal Worth Over INR 400 Crore The new sponsorship term is set to span around 130 matches over the next three years, including marquee events such as the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. At the revised base price, the BCCI could generate upwards of INR 400 crore during the tenure, with the final figure likely to rise depending on the bidding outcome. The bidding is scheduled for September 16, which means the new sponsor will not be in place before the Asia Cup begins on September 9. A senior BCCI official has confirmed that an interim sponsor is unlikely, indicating that the team may play the Asia Cup without any branding on the front of the jersey. On September 2, the board issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for lead sponsor rights. The notice outlined restrictions, ruling out companies in categories such as gaming, betting, crypto, and tobacco. Additionally, brands dealing in athleisure, sportswear, banking and finance, non-alcoholic cold beverages, fans, mixer grinders, safety locks, and insurance were excluded due to potential conflicts with existing sponsors. This shift in sponsorship dynamics comes after the exit of Dream11, which was forced to withdraw following the Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law prohibits operations by real-money gaming firms, directly impacting the fantasy sports platform’s deal with the board. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!