India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Asia Cup group stage on Sunday in Dubai. The much-anticipated contest comes amid cross-border tensions and calls in India to boycott the game. Unlike previous high-voltage encounters, the hype this time feels muted. As of Friday, even the tickets were not sold out.
On paper, there remains a clear gap in talent and class between the two sides, even in T20 cricket. India, the reigning world champions, look far stronger. Pakistan, missing their key batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, are still trying to adapt to the modern approach in the shortest format.
Sunday’s game could well turn into a one-sided affair, with India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, eager to assert dominance over their arch-rivals. The Indians sent out a strong message in their opening match against UAE, bowling them out for just 57 runs and chasing the target in only 4.3 overs.
The question remains: does Pakistan have the bowling firepower to trouble India and make this contest competitive? If not, another lopsided result could further dent the already waning quality of this once-fierce rivalry between the neighbours.
In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Kingshuk Kusari, and Saurabh Kumar discuss the imbalance between the two teams and what to expect from the India–Pakistan tie in the Asia Cup.

Produced by Nikhil Khattar
 
Sound mixed by Aman Pal