DUBAI: Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is all set to light up Dubai this Sunday as Pakistan and India lock horns at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

This clash of giants — loaded with history, high stakes, and unforgettable drama — is expected to deliver yet another nail-biter for fans around the globe.

When it comes to T20Is, India has the upper hand, with 10 wins from 13 encounters against Pakistan. Their last meeting was at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where Rohit Sharma’s side narrowly edged out Babar Azam’s men in a tense low-scoring game.

But beyond the numbers, fans are eagerly waiting for some key face-offs: Fakhar Zaman’s fearless strokeplay against Jasprit Bumrah’s searing pace, Abrar Ahmed’s tricky spin versus Shubman Gill’s class, and the young Sufyan Moqim testing the explosive Abhishek Sharma.

Sufyan vs Abhishek: Rivalry with unfinished business

One of the most anticipated sub-battles will be between Pakistan’s rising spinner Sufyan Moqim and India’s aggressive opener Abhishek Sharma.

Their rivalry first caught fire in the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 final, when Sufyan dismissed Abhishek after his quickfire 61, derailing India’s chase of Pakistan’s massive 353-run target.

They crossed paths again in the ACC Emerging Asia T20 Cup, with Sufyan once more sending Abhishek back. A silent send-off soon escalated into a heated exchange of words, injecting even more intensity into their duel — although India ended up winning that match.

Now, heading into their third high-voltage clash, the question remains: Will Sufyan extend his dominance, or can Abhishek finally turn the script in his favour?

Fakhar vs Bumrah: History revisited

Another battle fans can’t forget is between Fakhar Zaman and Jasprit Bumrah — a rivalry that dates back to the 2017 Champions Trophy final. That’s when Bumrah’s infamous no-ball gave Fakhar a second life, which he capitalised on with a blistering century, guiding Pakistan to their first ICC title since 2009.

The echoes of that moment still linger, making this upcoming face-off one of the most talked-about storylines of the Asia Cup 2025.

Since that famous 2017 clash, Jasprit Bumrah has rarely managed to get Fakhar Zaman out in high-stakes matches, which only adds extra drama whenever they face each other. With yet another chapter of their rivalry lined up this Sunday, fans are bracing themselves for fireworks.

Statistically though, Fakhar hasn’t quite dominated India in the shortest format — in four T20Is against them, the left-hander has managed just 38 runs at a strike rate of 118.75. Still, every ball against Bumrah feels like it could change the script.

Abrar Ahmed’s spin vs Shubman Gill’s temperament

Another thrilling mini-battle in the spotlight is Abrar Ahmed taking on Shubman Gill. Pakistan’s mystery spinner has a knack for outfoxing batters with sharp turn and variations, while Gill’s calm, composed style makes him India’s anchor at the top. Fans are eager to see whether Abrar’s guile can crack Gill’s steady resistance in Dubai.

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Haris Rauf vs Suryakumar Yadav – Pace vs Flair

Perhaps the most explosive battle will be between Haris Rauf’s raw pace and India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav, known for his unorthodox stroke play. Rauf’s fiery spells and SKY’s fearless batting style guarantee high-octane entertainment.

uring the 2025 Champions Trophy, India’s vice-captain had no response to Abrar Ahmed’s mesmerizing spin, even though Pakistan fell short of victory.

As both revamped squads prepare for Sunday’s clash, the burning question remains: Can Abrar once again bamboozle Gill and also trouble India’s star-studded batting order, which has a history of stumbling against quality spin?

While Gill hasn’t yet faced Pakistan in the T20I format, his ODI numbers against the Green Shirts speak volumes. In four matches, he has notched up 130 runs at an average of 32.50 and a strike rate of 88.44. His top score of 58 highlights his ability to anchor the innings against Pakistan.

Haris Rauf’s thunderbolts vs SKY’s audacity

Another duel that promises pure fireworks is the showdown between Pakistan’s express pacer Haris Rauf and India’s dynamic skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

History tilts in Rauf’s favour — he’s already sent Yadav packing twice in T20Is.

Meanwhile, SKY’s numbers against Pakistan tell their own story: just 64 runs in five matches at a modest strike rate of 118.51.

The big question now — can Rauf once again rattle India’s captain and keep this electrifying rivalry alive?