Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads Pakistan's cricket board, said on Wednesday that India are "welcome" to collect their Asia Cup trophy from his office in Dubai.

Winning moment for Team India! 🇮🇳✨

Beating Pakistan 3 times in a tournament & becoming 9-time Asia Cup champions is not everyone cup of tea🔥#AsiaCup2025 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/g8Z45AX0MA

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) September 28, 2025

India defended their Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan on Sunday, but refused to take the winning prize from Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's interior minister.

The Indian players instead celebrated retaining their regional crown by mimicking holding a trophy, and later skipper Suryakumar Yadav said they were denied the trophy.

"As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now," Naqvi said on X.

"If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me."

The regional tournament was dominated by political posturing between the players as the two rivals met three times and the final ended in high drama when the presentation was delayed by one hour.

The T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates was the first time the Asian cricket giants had met since a deadly military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.

Suryakumar refused to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha in their first meeting and the deadlock continued in the next two matches – all won by India.

𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Special Team 👌
Special Triumph 🙌

🎥 From Dressing Room to the Field of Play - Scenes right through the final moments before #TeamIndia completed a stunning win in #AsiaCup2025 #Final! 👍 👍 pic.twitter.com/P2hfjarLQl

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 29, 2025

Players from both teams also resorted to signals and gestures aimed to mimic each other's military highs during the four-day conflict.

Both countries claimed victory in the conflict that killed more than 70 people in missile, drone and military fire on each side.

India and Pakistan only meet in cricket on neutral territory in international tournaments because of long-simmering tensions between the arch-rivals.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side had been denied the chance to hoist the Asia Cup trophy on Sunday after it was removed from the presentation ceremony following their refusal to accept it from Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.

India beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium with emotions running high between the sides following a brief military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.

The teams met three times at the tournament, with Indian players refusing to shake hands with their opponents throughout, and Sunday's final ended in bizarre circumstances with India celebrating their win by hoisting an imaginary trophy.

"I think this is one thing which I've never seen since I started playing cricket and started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, and that too a hard-earned one," Suryakumar told reporters.

"I feel we deserved it. I can't say anything more, I've summed it up really well.

"My trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me, the support staff, those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup."

Indian batsman Tilak Varma anchored his team's chase with an unbeaten 69 in reply to Pakistan's 146 all out but the action on the field was overshadowed by the drama off it.

The start of the presentation ceremony was delayed by more than an hour and then cut short just before the winner's trophy was to be handed out with Naqvi among those left waiting on the dais.

Indian cricket board (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed their players had refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Local media reported that organisers left the ceremony with the trophy.

Reuters has contacted the Asian Cricket Council for comment.

Suryakumar, who was later pictured picking up an imaginary trophy to celebrate with his teammates on the dais, said all that mattered was that India were champions once again.

"The win is important. If you saw after the match, 'India' was written on the big screen. 'Asia Cup 2025 Champions' ... what's better than this? You play for that," he said.

"It was a great moment. Great journey. Great campaign for us as a team. We had a lot of fun."

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had disrespected cricket.

"What India have done in this tournament is disappointing," Agha said.

"They're not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they're disrespecting cricket. Good teams don't do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals.

"I don't want to use harsh words but they've been very disrespectful."

Tilak Varma hit an unbeaten 69 as India defeated Pakistan by five wickets for a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with no handshakes between the sides again on Sunday.

Chasing 147 for victory, India depended on Varma's 53-ball knock and a key 60-run stand with fellow left-hander Shivam Dube to reach their target with two balls to spare in Dubai.

Dube got out for 33 at the end of the 19th over and, with India needing 10 off the last six deliveries, Varma struck a six and Rinku Singh hit the winning boundary as the pair ran off to celebrate with their team, leaving Pakistan to shake hands among themselves.

Kuldeep Yadav set up India's third victory over their rivals in the regional tournament played under the T20 format as his figures of 4-30 helped bowl out Pakistan for 146.

India were in trouble at 20 for three and 77 for four, but Varma kept calm to anchor the chase as he hit three fours and four sixes in his knock.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson's 24 and then a supporting knock by Dube took India home at a nearly packed stadium dominated by Indian fans.

BUMRAH RETALIATES

The two neighbours came into the title clash with tensions high from their previous two clashes in the competition, which witnessed political posturing and aggressive on-field behaviour.

India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah raised the heat in the first innings on Sunday when he bowled Haris Rauf for six and made a gesture similar to the one the Pakistan bowler had done to the crowd in the previous meeting between the two teams.

Put in to bat after no handshakes at the toss, Pakistan started strongly as openers Sahibzada Farhan, who made 57, and Fakhar Zaman, who made 46, put on 84 runs, but the team slipped from 113 for one to be bowled out in 19.1 overs.

Farhan fell after his second fifty in this edition of the Asia Cup after the batter attempted a second successive six offspinner Varun Chakravarthy.

Zaman took charge and, along with Saim Ayub, kept up the attack with regular boundaries until Kuldeep struck in the 13th over.

Ayub fell to Kuldeep's left-arm wrist spin as Pakistan lost six wickets for 21 runs.

Zaman fell short of his fifty and Kuldeep struck with three wickets in the 17th over, including skipper Salman Agha for eight.

India and Pakistan met earlier in the competition for the first time after deadly fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not played a bilateral series in over a decade.

The two only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues as part of a compromise deal.

India comfortably won their earlier two matches, but in the Super Four clash Farhan mimicked a gun celebration after his half-century.

Rauf made gestures appearing to mock India's military action during the four-day border conflict in May that left more than 70 people dead.

In the group match, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav had refused to shake hands with Pakistan counterpart Agha and the two teams kept up the stance for the rest of the tournament.

The Asia Cup was widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March of next year.

INDIA: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

PAKISTAN: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Defending champions India survived Pathum Nissanka's blistering hundred and some intense Super Over drama before beating Sri Lanka in a dead rubber to maintain their unbeaten run in the Asia Cup on Friday.

What a thriller! 🔥 The match ends in a tie, but India hold their nerve to clinch victory in the Super Over. 🇮🇳💥 #SLvIND #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/h5Z0tDyERA

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 26, 2025

With India having already secured their place in Sunday's final against Pakistan and Sri Lanka eliminated, the Super Fours clash was of merely academic interest, but it turned out to be the most exciting game of this year's tournament.

Sri Lanka gave a good account of themselves and matched India's 202-5 to force the Super Over after Nissanka (107) smashed the first individual hundred of this year's tournament.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man 🎯#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2025 | #Super4 | #INDvSL | @arshdeepsinghh

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/xmvjWCaN8L pic.twitter.com/Bmqqs2Btqx

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 26, 2025

Sri Lanka, however, managed only two runs in the Super Over before losing both wickets in five deliveries from Arshdeep Singh.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav took three runs from the first delivery from Wanindu Hasaranga to seal their victory in a matter-of-fact way.

Earlier, put into bat, 20-overs world champions India racked up the tournament's first 200-plus total, riding opener Abhishek Sharma's third consecutive fifty in the tournament.

A Super fight and A Super Win!

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/xmvjWCaN8L#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2025 | #Super4 | #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/J0VAgHsVUl

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 26, 2025

Abhishek, the world's top-ranked T20 batter, maintained his red-hot form with a sizzling 61 off 31 balls.

Opening partner Shubman Gill fell for four and skipper Suryakumar's (12) slump in form continued, but India did not really suffer as Abhishek raced to a 22-ball fifty.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka removed Abhishek, but Tilak Varma, who made 49 not out, and Sanju Samson (39) maintained the pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers.

A much needed breakthrough as Varun Chakaravarthy strikes.

Kusal Perera is stumped; departs after scoring 58 runs.

Live - https://t.co/OVolZNi5K7 #INDvSL #AsiaCup2025 #Super4 pic.twitter.com/gKku17Uwiw

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 26, 2025

In their chase, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis for a duck in the first over but cruised to 72-1 after the six powerplay overs.

India rested pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, while Hardik Pandya bowled just one over before leaving the field.

Nissanka needed 25 balls to bring up his fifty and Kusal Perera (58) could not be denied his half-century either.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy broke the 127-run stand when he dismissed Perera.

Nissanka raced to a 52-ball hundred but fell in the first ball of the last over, which ended with Sri Lanka also on 202 for five, forcing the Super Over.

India and Pakistan will face off in a high-stakes Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, with political and on-field friction overshadowing their first-ever title clash in the regional tournament.

Pakistan secured their place in the final after edging past Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday, setting the stage for a blockbuster meeting with defending champions India.

The showdown comes months after deadly fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not played a bilateral series in over a decade.

Their most recent meetings in the group stage and Super Four round of this Asia Cup saw India skipper Suryakumar Yadav refusing to shake hands with counterpart Salman Agha.

Players from both sides also skipped post-match handshakes after the first and second encounters.

India comfortably won both the games, stretching their unbeaten run against Pakistan to seven matches dating back to 2022 – three one-day internationals and four T20Is. India lead 12-3 in T20 matches.

In the Super Four clash, opener Sahibzada Farhan mimicked a gun celebration after his half-century, while pacer Haris Rauf made gestures appearing to mock India's military action during the four-day border conflict in May that left more than 70 people dead.

"Look, my message to the players is just focus on cricket and that certainly we will be doing," said Pakistan coach Mike Hesson after the team's narrow win over Bangladesh.

"In terms of gestures there has always been passion in terms of high-pressure games."

India, the reigning T20 world champions, remain tournament favourites.

'RING OF FIRE'

They have won all five of their matches in this 17th edition of the Asia Cup, played in the T20 format, and are chasing a record-extending ninth title.

Opener Abhishek Sharma has been in scintillating form with successive half-centuries, while left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav leads the bowling charts with 12 wickets.

But their fielding has been suspect, with 12 dropped catches in the tournament so far.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy blamed the "ring of fire" created by the stadium's 350 floodlights for the butter-fingered display.

"We have to pick up our fielding, and definitely, the fielding coach has a lot to say," Chakravarthy said.

India, who won the 50-over Asia Cup in the previous edition, play Sri Lanka in an inconsequential Super Four match in Dubai on Friday.

Pakistan, two-time Asia Cup champions, will rely on their pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf to provide early breakthroughs, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz will aim to contain India's powerful batting line-up.

Their batting, however, remains a concern after collapsing to 49-5 against Bangladesh before recovering to post 135-8 which proved to be a winning total.

Suryakumar downplayed the on-field rivalry after hammering Pakistan for the second time in the tournament, but Hesson believes his team can throw up a challenge to the No 1 ranked T20 side.

The Asia Cup is being widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final for the first time after their bowlers made amends for poor batting to upstage Bangladesh in an 11-run victory on Thursday.

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed grabbed 3-28 as Pakistan batters were sloppy on a sticky Dubai stadium pitch in their last Super Four match, managing a modest 135-8 in 20 overs.

But Pakistan staged a fightback through pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-17) and Haris Rauf (3-33) to keep Bangladesh down to 124-9 in 20 overs and book their place in Sunday's showpiece against India.

Shamim Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with a 25-ball 30 and Saif Hassan scored 18.

Pakistan's second win in the Super Four stage set them up for a third encounter against arch rivals India.

They lost both previous meetings with their neighbours so far in the tournament, with the two matches marred by a no-handshake controversy.

India players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the first game and the two sides also did not shake hands after the second.

Earlier, Taskin was well supported by spinners Rishad Hossain (2-18) and Mahedi Hasan (2-28) to keep Pakistan in check after they were sent in to bat.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals as Taskin removed opener Sahibzada Farhan off the fourth ball of the match for four while Hasan had Saim Ayub for his fourth duck of the tournament.

Fakhar Zaman scored 13 and captain Salman Agha 19 as Pakistan tottered at 49-5.

It was a seventh-wicket stand of 38 between Mohammad Haris (31) and Mohammad Nawaz (25) that helped Pakistan add 52 in the last five overs.

Haris hit two boundaries and a six while Nawaz's 15-ball knock had two sixes and a boundary.

Shaheen, dropped twice by Bangladesh fielders, hit two sixes in his rapid 13-ball 19.

India secured their place in the Asia Cup final on Wednesday as Abhishek Sharma starred with 75 in a comfortable 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai.

The holders posted 168-6 batting first after stumbling following a quick start, but their spinners helped stifle Bangladesh to 127 all out.

The result means Sri Lanka are out of the tournament, with Thursday's Super Four match between Pakistan and Bangladesh to decide who faces India in Sunday's final.

Abhishek has enjoyed a remarkable start to his T20 international career with 783 runs from 22 matches at a strike-rate of 197.72.

The opener set up victory with another brilliant innings, striking six sixes and five fours in his 37-ball blitz, which ended with a run-out caused by a mix-up with captain Suryakumar Yadav.

"I was just doing my job," Abhishek said.

"I have told before as well that I do not think much (while going in to bat) and go with the flow. If it is in my range, even if it is the first ball, I go for it."

Both Abhishek and fellow opener Shubman Gill, who made 29, started cautiously before the two took on left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, smashing 21 runs off the fourth over.

Abhishek reached his fifty off just 25 balls after Gill fell to legspinner Rishad Hossain.

Rishad quickly struck again with the wicket of the promoted Shivam Dube, before the dismissals of Abhishek and Suryakumar, for five off 11 balls, left India on 114-4.

Hardik Pandya ensured India reached a competitive total with a 29-ball 38 with four fours and one six.

Jasprit Bumrah struck first to send back opener Tanzid Hasan for one in the second over of Bangladesh's chase, before Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon, who made 21, put on 42 runs to steady the innings.

But Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Parvez and Bangladesh soon lost their way as the Indian spinners took charge.

Saif, who survived four dropped catches, played a lone hand to raise Bangladesh hopes.

Kuldeep struck twice with successive balls before Nasum played out the hat-trick ball.

Saif finally fell in the 18th over for 69 to Bumrah and Bangladesh were bowled out in 19.3 overs.

Kuldeep stood out with figures of 3-18 as the left-arm wrist spinner took his tournament tally to 12 wickets in five matches.

Bangladesh were without skipper Litton Das, who was injured, and Jaker Ali stood in as captain.

"We can take lots of things from this game," said Jaker. "Let's see what kind of combination we are going to go (in Thursday's match) but we will give our best."

Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has declared that his team will reach the Asia Cup final and can beat India if the arch-rivals clash again.

Pakistan kept their campaign alive with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have met twice in this edition of the regional competition but the neighbours have never played against each other in an Asia Cup final.

The regional tournament, played this time in the United Arab Emirates under the Twenty20 format, started in 1984 and this is its 17th edition.

Bangladesh, who face India on Wednesday and Pakistan on Thursday, stand in the way of the great rivals facing off in Sunday's decider in Dubai.

India are holders and beat Pakistan in both previous matches, but Shaheen was in bullish mood after taking 3-28 against Sri Lanka.

"They have still not reached the final, when they do, then we will see them," said Shaheen of India.

"We are here to win the cup, whichever team comes in the final we are ready to beat them."

If both teams reach the final, India will once again start as strong favourites having won 12 of 15 T20Is between the two countries.

India have also won the last seven internationals against Pakistan since September 2022, four T20Is and three one-day internationals.

That sequence prompted India skipper Suryakumar Yadav to declare India-Pakistan "is not a rivalry anymore".

In both wins for India in the UAE there were no handshakes, adding another layer to an already intense rivalry.

"It is his opinion that, let him say that," said Shaheen of Suryakumar's cutting comments.

"When they reach the final then will see. Our job is to win the Asia Cup, and we will make a complete effort to do that."

Pakistan kept their Asia Cup campaign alive with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

With both teams having lost their opening fixtures of the second round, defeat wasn't an option and Pakistan's bowlers rose to the occasion tying Sri Lanka down to 133-8 on a featherbed of a pitch.

Chasing what looked a modest target, Pakistan made heavy weather of it. After a brisk opening stand of 45, their innings went into free fall at 80-5.

But a cool-headed 58-run partnership off 41 balls for the sixth wicket between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat steadied the ship and saw them home with 12 deliveries in hand.

Pakistan prevail in a closely-contested game! ✌️

Having lost their way briefly in the middle overs, 🇵🇰 did incredibly well to keep a calm head and chase down the target & get a W against their name. 😎#PAKvSL #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/hWFvjlMMoc

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 23, 2025

Nawaz struck a breezy 38 off 24 balls, while Talat anchored the innings with an unbeaten 32 off 30.

Phenomenal stand between @HussainTallat12 (3️⃣2️⃣*) and @mnawaz94 (3️⃣8️⃣*) 💪

The pair adds an unbeaten 5️⃣8️⃣-run partnership for the sixth wicket 🔥#PAKvSL | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/7e9kJKCIaV

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 23, 2025

Earlier, Shaheen Shah Afridi set the tone with the new ball, nipping out Sri Lanka's in-form openers inside his first two overs.

The left-arm quick returned at the death to dismiss top-scorer Kamindu Mendis and closed with figures of three for 28 – a spell that put Pakistan on the front foot.

Fighting a lone battle ⚔️🥊

Kamindu Mendis held the fort for Sri Lanka with a valiant 50, giving his side something to fight for.#PAKvSL #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/esjqlaMxRv

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 23, 2025

Talat and Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets apiece, while leggie Abrar Ahmed bowled with miserly precision, giving away just eight runs in his four overs and dismissing fellow legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka, unbeaten in the first round with three wins on the trot, have hit a brick wall in the Super Four, losing to Bangladesh on Saturday and now to Pakistan.

With only India left to play, their chances of making the final are hanging by a thread.

Put in to bat, Sri Lanka slumped to 58-5 and looked set to be bundled out inside 20 overs.

Sri Lanka huff and puff to 1️⃣3️⃣3️⃣

Pakistan's bowlers breathed fire up top doing the damage in the powerplay, with only Kamindu Mendis shining bright.

Will 🇵🇰 hunt down the target or will 🇱🇰 make a fight out of this?#PAKvSL #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/rCjWERCSGi

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 23, 2025

But Kamindu Mendis dug in, compiling a fighting 50 off 44 balls with three fours and two sixes, his third half-century in T20Is.

He stitched together a 43-run stand with Chamika Karunaratne for the seventh wicket, but the former champions were still left high and dry.

PAKISTAN: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt.), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav sidestepped the no-handshake issue ahead of the Asia Cup rematch against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, choosing to focus instead on the bat and ball.

The Group A clash between the fierce rivals last Sunday ended on a bitter note when Indian players refused to shake hands with their opponents.

It was the first meeting between the regional neighbours since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had demanded the removal of Andy Pycroft as match referee for the must-win group game against the hosts. Zimbabwean Pycroft oversaw that clash last Sunday.

Pakistan's last group game against the United Arab Emirates was delayed for an hour due to the stand-off before the matter was resolved. The PCB claimed Pycroft apologised.

Pycroft remained the match referee for Wednesday's game and is still scheduled to officiate on Sunday.

Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday's clash.

Suryakumar changed the subject when asked about the handshake issue and Pycroft's presence, saying "It will be a good contest between the ball and the bat".

He added: "Close your room, switch off your phone and sleep. I think that's the best thing to shut the noise. It's easy to say, but sometimes it is difficult."

India won all three of their group games, edging out a brave Oman by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi on Friday as well as beating Pakistan by seven and the UAE by nine wickets respectively.

Suryakumar praised minnows Oman, appearing in the Asia Cup for the first time, for putting up a good fight.

"I feel they played a good brand of cricket," he said of a team who ended on 167-4 in reply to India's 188-8.

"They batted very well but we also managed to give a good outing to our players."

Meanwhile, Pakistan cancelled its pre-match press conference, apparently to avoid having to discuss the handshakes.

"Pakistan will not be holding their pre-match press conference today," said a message from the Asian Cricket Council.

This is the second consecutive time that Pakistan has cancelled their press conference following the handshake incident.

World champions India overcame a gutsy Oman team to win the last group match of the Asia Cup by 21 runs on Friday and stay unbeaten in the T20 tournament.

India had already qualified for the Super Four stage and posted 188-8 after they elected to bat first at Abu Dhabi.

Oman – ranked 20th in world T20 rankings – put up a spirited batting show and finished on 167-4 after top knocks from Aamir Kaleem, who made 64, and Hammad Mirza, who hit 51.

The left-right batting pair of Kaleem and Mirza put on 93 runs for the second wicket and attempted to pull off the chase with some late boundaries that gave India the scare.

Hardik Pandya broke the stand with a stunning outfield catch to dismiss Kaleem off Harshit Rana and then sent back Mirza with his pace bowling in the next over.

Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh snared the fourth wicket of the innings and his 100th in T20 internationals – the first Indian bowler to reach the century mark.

🚨 Milestone Alert 🚨

𝗔 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 💯! 👏 👏

Arshdeep Singh becomes the First Indian (in Men's Cricket) to pick 1⃣0⃣0⃣ T20I wickets! 🔝

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/XAsd5MHdx4#TeamIndia | #INDvOMA | #AsiaCup2025 | @arshdeepsinghh pic.twitter.com/KD1lGnzaPB

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2025

Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson top-scored with 56 and his second-wicket partnership with explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who made 38 off 14 balls, lay the platform for India's total.

For his brisk half-century to power #TeamIndia to 188/8, Sanju Samson bagged the Player of the Match award as India won the match by 21 runs. 👍👍

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/XAsd5MHdx4#INDvOMA | #AsiaCup2025 | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/6qp6n10ILs

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2025

Oman struck regular blows in their first meeting with the reigning T20 World Cup winners.

Shah Faisal, fellow left-arm quick Jiten Ramanandi and left-arm spinner Kaleem took two wickets reach.

India and Pakistan moved into the Super Four from Group A and face each again on Sunday, a week after India's players refused to shake hands with their neighbours after victory in a group match.

Sri Lanka clash with Bangladesh in the first match of the Super Four on Saturday after the two teams made the next stage from Group B.

India and Pakistan clash again in the Asia Cup on Sunday, renewing one of cricket's fiercest rivalries a week after their last match was overshadowed by a handshake row.

India won the 14 September group match by seven wickets in Dubai and afterwards refused to shake hands with their opponents, angering Pakistan.

It was the first meeting between the neighbours since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.

The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council alleging that match referee Andy Pycroft had told skipper Salman Agha not to approach Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake at the toss.

The PCB demanded Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team Twenty20 competition.

Their last group game was held up for an hour before the PCB said Pycroft had apologised and the match, with the Zimbabwean in charge, eventually went ahead.

Pakistan beat hosts the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and set up another meeting with India in Dubai.

Indian media has reported that the team plans to stick to its no-handshake policy for Sunday's clash.

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav sought to defuse the controversy.

"When you step onto the field it's just a batter in front of you. I have always approached it this way against Pakistan," he said ahead of India's last group game, against Oman on Friday.

Agha also stuck to sport.

"If we play good cricket like we have played in the last few months I think we'll be good against any side," the Pakistan captain told reporters.

SIMMERING TENSIONS

Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.

Tensions soared ahead of the Asia Cup after the two countries engaged in their worst conflict since 1999.

The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

The conflict was triggered by an April attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge Islamabad denies.

India resisted calls to boycott the first Pakistan match.

A potential third India-Pakistan showdown looms if both sides qualify for the final on 28 September in Dubai.

India lifted the Asia Cup in its last, 50-over edition and are favourites to retain the crown.

India and Pakistan advanced to the next stage from Group A while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualified from Group B.

Sri Lanka face Bangladesh on Saturday in the first Super Fours fixture.

Sri Lanka, unbeaten so far, look dangerous while Bangladesh carry the underdog tag under skipper Litton Das.

Along with regional bragging rights, the Asia Cup serves as build-up towards the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare.

Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier.

A disappointing end to our journey at the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025. 😕#AfghanAtalan | #AsiaCup2025 | #AFGvSL | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/OGMn0H4RsL

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 18, 2025

It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets.

Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries.

Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan's much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack.

He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis.

Kusal Mendis stands tall💥 A match-winning unbeaten 74* that powered Sri Lanka’s charge and kept the Lions roaring strong. 🦁🏏#KusalMendis #SriLankaCricket #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/Ps8wekjJ7z

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 18, 2025

Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Thushara struck twice in his second over, eventually finishing with four for 18.

At 137 for seven heading into the final over, Afghanistan looked dead and buried, but veteran Mohammad Nabi turned the script on its head.

The all-rounder bludgeoned 32 runs off the last over, lifting his side to a fighting 169 for eight.

Dunith Wellalage, playing his first T20 since November 2024, dropped Nabi on five, a mistake that cost dearly.

Thrown the ball for the final over, the left-arm spinner was carted for five sixes, conceding the second-most expensive over by a Sri Lankan in T20 history.

Nabi finished with a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls, peppered with three fours and six sixes, his half-century equalling the record for the quickest by an Afghan batter.

Pakistan set up another politically charged showdown with arch-rivals India at the Asia Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in Dubai on Wednesday.

The match began an hour late as the fallout rumbled on from a handshake row with India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board was considering pulling out from the tournament and demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft for the must-win group game against the hosts.

The Zimbabwean oversaw Sunday's game with India, after which the victorious India team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.

But following urgent talks between the PCB and the International Cricket Council, Wednesday's encounter eventually went ahead after a delay and Pycroft remained the match referee.

Fakhar Zaman scored 50 off 36 balls and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi added a brisk 29 not out as Pakistan made a modest 146-9 after being put in to bat.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed led Pakistan's bowling charge with 2-13 as the UAE were dismissed for 105 in 17.4 overs. Shaheen took 2-16 and fellow paceman Haris Rauf 2-19.

🌟 Man of the Match 🌟

Shaheen Shah Afridi for his quickfire 29 (14) and brilliant 2/16 👏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvUAE | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/YtaXNmUz9q

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2025

The win means Pakistan join India in the Super Four from Group A. They will meet again in Dubai on Sunday.

Rahul Chopra top-scored for the UAE with a run-a-ball 35.

Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Saim Ayub fell for a second-ball duck while Sahibzada Farhan made five, both falling to pace bowler Junaid Siddique.

Zaman and Salman Agha (20) added 61 for the third wicket.

Zaman hit three sixes and two fours before he fell to left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh, who took 3-26.

👏 @FakharZamanLive brings up his 13th T20I half-century 🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #PAKvUAE | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/7AaGOa0VLQ

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2025

It was left to Shaheen to help Pakistan add 51 in the last five overs as Siddique finished with an impressive 4-18.

Rauf said Pakistan will be more competitive in their rematch with India after losing by seven wickets in the first clash between the rivals in cricket since the countries fought a brief but deadly border conflict in May.

"Yes, we were not up to the mark in the first game, but we will do our best to be competitive," said Rauf.

"Cricket is a game of expectations, fans have a lot of expectation so we will try to live up to that."

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem played down the distraction of Pakistan arriving late to Wednesday's match.

"We were told about the delay in the match, so we kept our preparations and were not worried about the off-field matters," said Waseem.

Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi to decide who goes through to the next round from Group B. Bangladesh are also in the running with two wins in three matches.

UAE:Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (capt), Asif Khan, Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh, Junaid Siddique

PAKISTAN: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Spinner Nasum Ahmed produced a miserly spell to help Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by eight runs on Tuesday and keep their Asia Cup hopes alive.

Bangladesh posted 154-5 batting first as opener Tanzid Hasan starred with his 52 off 31 balls in Abu Dhabi.

Nasum and fellow spinner Rishad Hossain then took two wickets each before pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman returned figures of 3-28 to help bowl out Afghanistan for 146.

Nasum celebrates in rhythm — when the ball spins, so do the feet!

Photo Credit: @ACCMedia1 pic.twitter.com/kWLz8n0Z5h

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 16, 2025

Taskin Ahmed also claimed two wickets as he wrapped up the innings with the final ball of the match.

Bangladesh ended Group B with two wins and one defeat in their three outings.

Their chances of reaching the Super Four stage will depend on the final match of the group between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Bangladesh will go through if Sri Lanka win, but an Afghan victory would see them progress and leave the Sri Lankans and Bangladesh to be split on net run-rate.

Left-arm spinner Nasum rocked the Afghanistan chase early when he struck with the first ball of the innings to trap Sediqullah Atal lbw and then grabbed the key wicket of Ibrahim Zadran, for five, in the fifth over.

He returned figures of 2-11 from his four overs.

Rishad dismissed Gulbadin Naib caught and bowled for 16 with his leg-spin and then sent back the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 35 to dent Afghanistan.

Azmatullah Omarzai attempted to revive the chase with three sixes in his 16-ball 30 but holed out off Taskin.

Skipper Rashid Khan made one final push with a quickfire 20 but fell to Mustafizur, who struck again to be on a hat-trick which was avoided by Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Earlier Tanzid put on an opening stand of 63 with Saif Hasan, who made 30, as the two racked up 59 in the powerplay.

Rashid broke the stand as he struck in his first over by bowling Saif and Afghanistan's spinners soon took control.

Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad trapped skipper Litton Das lbw for nine to further peg back Bangladesh.

Tanzid raised his fifty off 28 deliveries but fell to Noor in the next over.

Job well done, Tanzid Tamim ✅ 🇧🇩

Photo Credit: @ACCMedia1 pic.twitter.com/eN3FIWsK4k

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 16, 2025

Towhid Hridoy added a 20-ball 26 but although Bangladesh managed just 67 runs in the final 10 overs, it proved enough for the win.

Sri Lanka were made to sweat before edging Hong Kong by four wickets in the Asia Cup on Monday, as Wanindu Hasaranga's late cameo spared the former champions an embarrassing stumble.

Chasing 150 on a sluggish surface, Sri Lanka looked comfortable at 119 for two with 31 needed off 30 deliveries, but a flurry of wickets, four for eight runs, set nerves jangling.

Hasaranga steadied the innings with an unbeaten 20 off nine balls, striking two fours and a six to seal victory with seven balls left.

Pathum Nissanka was again the batting linchpin, cracking 68 off 44 balls with six fours and two sixes. The opener, ranked seventh in the ICC T20 batting standings, posted back-to-back half-centuries to become the tournament's leading scorer with 118 runs. Fortune favoured him. He was reprieved on 22, 58 and 59, before being run out going for a risky second.

Hong Kong's spirited effort was undermined by sloppy fielding as they grassed five catches that might have turned the contest on its head.

"It was a very good performance but we're disappointed we dropped so many catches," said skipper Yasim Murtaza.

Earlier, after being sent in, Hong Kong charged to 31 for no loss in the first three overs. A 61-run stand from Anshuman Rath (48) and Nizakat Khan (52) anchored their innings, the latter posting his 12th half-century.

Dushmantha Chameera's pace proved too hot to handle, finishing with two wickets.

"Very pleased with my form, but we have a long way to go," said Nissanka, who continues to flourish at the top of the order.

The win puts Sri Lanka top of group B, all but ensuring a place in the second round with one match in hand.

Skipper Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu struck attacking half-centuries to lead United Arab Emirates to a thumping 42-run win over Oman in the Asia Cup on Monday.

Waseem, who hit 69, and Sharafu, who made 51, put on 88 runs for the opening wicket to guide hosts UAE to a challenging 172 for five in Abu Dhabi.

The home bowlers then combined to dismiss Oman for 130 in 18.4 overs for their first win in this edition of the regional tournament played in the T20 format.

Medium-pace bowler Junaid Siddique stood out with figures of 4-23. Haider Ali and Muhammad Jawadullah took two wickets each.

The batters had set up victory. Waseem and Sharafu started cautiously but soon took the attack to the opposition with a flurry of boundaries.

Sharafu fell for his 51 but Waseem kept up the charge and reached fifty with a six. The captain was run out in the final over.

UAE play Pakistan, who went down to tournament favourites India in a key match, next on Wednesday with the winner likely to move into the Super Four stage of the eight-nation event.

Oman were never in the chase and lost five wickets for 50 runs with captain and opener Jatinder Singh scoring 20 as they slumped to a second straight defeat.

Defending champions India, who won the previous edition played in a 50-overs format, lead the table in Group A with two wins in two matches are nearly through to the next stage.

Along with regional bragging rights, the competition will serve as a build-up towards the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lodged a complaint on Monday with cricket's governing body about the match referee in their Asia Cup clash with India after simmering tensions between the countries spilt over into sport.

India beat their arch-rivals by seven wickets on Sunday in Dubai as the neighbours met for the first time in cricket since their military conflict in May.

Tensions simmered after the match as India's players left the field without shaking hands.

Pakistan blamed the India side and also allege match referee Andy Pycroft of Zimbabwe told captain Salman Agha not to shake the hand of India skipper Suryakumar Yadav before the game. There was no handshake between the captains.

"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC code of conduct and the MCC laws pertaining to the spirit of cricket," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi wrote on social media.

The PCB demanded the immediate removal of Pycroft from the remainder of the regional T20 tournament.

The International Cricket Council has been contacted for comment.

In his post-match press conference, Suryakumar said his team acted on the advice of the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

"We are aligned with the Indian government and the BCCI," said Suryakumar when asked why his team did not shake hands with the Pakistan players.

As a protest, Pakistan did not send their captain Agha to post-match duties.

The two teams are likely to meet again in a Super Four match in Dubai on Sunday, provided Pakistan win their last group game against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

They can also meet for a third time in the September 28 final in Dubai if results go their way.

India and Pakistan were playing for the first time since cross-border hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

The conflict was triggered by an April 22 attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing, a charge Islamabad denies.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said they were disappointed by India's decision not to shake hands after Sunday's politically-charged Asia Cup match between the bitter neighbours.

India won the Group A encounter by seven wickets in the first cricket match between the sides since a four-day military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.

While the match itself passed without incident, there was no shaking of hands between the captains at the toss or among the players at the end.

"We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game, we obviously are disappointed that our opposition didn't do that," Hesson told reporters.

"We sort of went over there to shake hands and they'd already gone into the changing room.

"That was a disappointing way for the match to finish, and a match we were disappointed for the way we played, but we were certainly willing to shake hands."

Solid show with ball ✅
Clinical run-chase ✅

🎥 Here's a quick round-up of #TeamIndia's dominating win in our 2️⃣nd game of the #AsiaCup2025 🔽 pic.twitter.com/xRT0wsRJGt

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2025

Pakistan captain Salman Agha did not attend the presentation ceremony, which New Zealander Hesson said was a "follow-on effect" of India's refusal to shake hands.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated their victory to their armed forces at the ceremony, and expressed solidarity with the victims of the April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir which triggered the conflict.

In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar said the players were aligned with the Indian cricket board and government.

"We took a call (on not shaking hands). We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply," said the batter.

Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan remains suspended since 2013 and the arch-rivals play each other only in multi-team tournaments.

Sunday's match went ahead despite calls in India for the team to boycott it.

India could face Pakistan twice more at the tournament, including in the September 28 final should the teams advance that far.

Spinners led by Kuldeep Yadav helped India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Sunday as the neighbours met on the cricket pitch for the first time since a military conflict between them in May.

Kuldeep returned figures of 3-18 and along with fellow spinner Axar Patel kept Pakistan down to 127-9 in a key Group A T20 clash in Dubai.

India lost two wickets after a fiery 31 off 13 balls from opener Abhishek Sharma, but skipper Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten 47 to achieve the target with 25 balls to spare.

India notch up an effortless win ✌️

The 🇮🇳 contingent offered little to nothing with ball & bat, dominating all three facets of the game to record a thumping win over their arch rivals.#INDvPAK #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/LUWFZAJ0tm

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 14, 2025

Suryakumar, who turned 35 on Sunday, put on 56 runs with left-hander Tilak Varma, who hit 31 before being bowled by Saim Ayub.

The captain stood firm and hit the winning six as Indian fans celebrated at a stadium, which had a lot of empty seats, and the players from both teams went off without handshakes.

India resisted calls to boycott the match between the nations, who have not played in any bilateral series since deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008 were blamed on Pakistan militants.

The hostilities in May this year left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

The conflict was triggered by an April 22 attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing – a charge Islamabad denies.

Suryakumar, in the presentation, said India took the match against Pakistan as "just another game" and dedicated the win to the Indian army.

"We stand with the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack and we express our solidarity," Suryakumar said. "We want to dedicate today's win to the armed forces."

AFRIDI'S CAMEO IN VAIN

Abhishek came out roaring as he hit Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi for a four and a six and, despite the fall of Shubman Gill in the next over, kept up the charge.

Swashbuckling Abhishek cracked four boundaries and two sixes before he mistimed another attempt for a maximum to be caught at long-off offspinner Ayub.

Cracking start that from Abhishek Sharma 🔥🔥

After 3 overs, #TeamIndia are 33/1

Live - https://t.co/D7cDABHqaf #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/O0MXcTu63P

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 14, 2025

India's bowlers set up the dominant win as Axar, who took 2-18, and Kuldeep combined to rattle the opposition batting, which suffered from a lack of partnerships.

Hardik Pandya struck in the first over to dismiss opener Ayub for a golden duck and fellow quick Jasprit Bumrah sent back wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris for three.

Sahibzada Farhan, who top-scored with 40, attempted to rebuild the innings along with Fakhar Zaman, who made 17, in a partnership of 39.

Axar broke the stand with his left-arm spin as he got Zaman caught out and in his next over had skipper Salman Agha out for three.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep came into the attack and struck twice on successive balls to pack off Hasan Nawaz (5) and Mohammad Nawaz (0) as Pakistan slipped to 64-6 inside 13 overs.

Another incisive spell by Kuldeep 'Magnificent' Yadav 🥵

3️⃣ massive wickets on the night put 🇵🇰 under the pump.#INDvPAK #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/BTBWhaF7cY

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 14, 2025

Kuldeep was named player of the match for the second successive time after he starred in India's opening win over hosts United Arab Emirates.

Wickets kept tumbling, but No 9 Afridi took on the opposition attack with four sixes in his unbeaten 33 off 16 balls to push the total past 120 and play out Pakistan's full 20 overs.

A cameo that breathed life into Pakistan's innings 💪

Shaheen Afridi took a heavy toll of the bowling, tonking the ball around towards the end of the innings.#INDvPAK #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/cQBtDKVdbQ

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 14, 2025

India, with two wins from two, are nearly through to the next Super Fours stage of the tournament with their final group match against Oman on Friday.

Pakistan play UAE next on Wednesday and despite the defeat to India are expected to make the next stage.

INDIA: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.

PAKISTAN: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.