The stage is set for the biggest encounter of the Asia Cup 2025 as arch-rivals India and Pakistan come face to face in a group stage clash on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Both teams are off to a flying start in the tournament. While India thrashed hosts UAE by nine wickets in their tournament opener, Pakistan blew away minnows Oman by 93 runs to make a winning start.
Now the focus shifts to Dubai, where the two rival nations will come head-to-head to determine the possible group toppers for the Super Four stage.
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However, there is a growing anger among Indian fans over the Men in Blues' contest against Pakistan just months after the gruesome Pahalgam attack, which killed innocent civilians and the Indian army's subsequent military actions.
Fans back in India aren't too happy that the Indian players are playing against the Pakistani players on the backdrop of a tense political situation and many have called for boycotting the game to show solidarity with fellow citizens and Indian soldiers.
Amid the heated debate over the India vs Pakistan clash, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared his views on the game.
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Ryan ten Doeschate on outrage over India facing Pakistan
Doeschate shared the Indian cricketers' solidarity with their fellow citizens, while claiming that the team is participating only after getting the due clearance from the Indian government, which had earlier stated that India would continue to participate in multi-nation tournaments, but wouldn't play Pakistan in bilateral series.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the big-ticket clash, the Dutchman said: "It is a very sensitive issue. Players share the compassion with people in India. You know the Indian government has given us the clearance. We know the feelings of the people.
"You separate sports and politics, there are different opinions around it. We are following the directions of the government."
He added: "The waiting period, whether the tournament or this match will happen, was the most frustrating part. Now that we have got clearance, it is business as usual. We share the sentiments of the people back in the country. But we just want to play cricket and get going with it."
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