India observes Asia's second-best team ahead of high-stakes clash with Pakistan

TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: While Team India cruised past the United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, their eyes were firmly on Afghanistan, one of Asia’s most formidable T20 sides. Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh were seen intently watching Afghanistan’s nets for half an hour on Thursday.

Later, Rinku Singh joined the group, as India’s stars studied the nuances of their upcoming opponents.

Afghanistan had made a statement in their opening match, thrashing Hong Kong by 94 runs. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai’s half-centuries, combined with Hong Kong’s top-order collapse, turned the game into a one-sided affair. Atal’s aggressive hitting, especially in the death overs, and Omarzai’s rapid 20-ball fifty showcased the firepower India will need to be wary of.

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For Team India, the focus was clear: understanding the strengths, tactics, and variations of Afghanistan’s key players. Samson, Pandya, and co. observed every move of the Afghanistan. India themselves had no trouble against UAE, bowling them out for just 57 before chasing the target in 4.3 overs. But while the victory was clinical, the players knew the real test would come against Afghanistan, whose spin variations could prove challenging.

India’s focus on Afghanistan comes ahead of a high-stakes Group A clash against Pakistan on Sunday, September 14. Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaign with a clinical 93-run win over Oman, powered by Mohammad Haris’s 66 and a disciplined spin attack that bowled Oman out for 67 in just 16.4 overs. With both India and Pakistan unbeaten in the tournament so far, Sunday’s showdown in Dubai promises to be a thrilling contest.