By News18,Satyaki Baidya
Copyright news18
India and Pakistan could potentially face each other two more times in the Asia Cup, with India securing its second consecutive victory by defeating Pakistan by seven wickets in the sixth match.
This win has nearly confirmed India’s place in the Super Four. After the league stages, the Indian team might encounter Pakistan in both the Super Four and the final. There is a strong possibility that the Asia Cup final could be contested between the two arch-rivals.
India is set to play its last league match against Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 10. If India wins this match and Pakistan defeats UAE in its final league match, then India and Pakistan could clash in the Super Four match scheduled for September 21.
According to the Asia Cup schedule, the top two teams from Group A will face off on that date in Dubai. Should both teams progress as expected, India and Pakistan may compete against each other again. If both teams finish in the top two positions in the Super Four stage, they will meet in the final on September 28 in Dubai.
Currently, India and Pakistan are ranked first and second in Group A, with India having four points from two matches and Pakistan having two points from two matches. India has defeated UAE and Pakistan, while Pakistan secured a victory against Oman in its first match but lost to India in the second.
The first match between India and Pakistan was filled with drama. Indian players did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match. Even during the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha.
The Pakistani team manager lodged a complaint regarding this. A pre-match meeting involving top officials and the Indian team management decided that Indian players would not engage in handshakes. Following their defeat, the Pakistani team waited on the ground, but the Indian players headed straight to the dressing room, leaving no room for post-match camaraderie.
