Wed Sep 10 13:16:14 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**India Returns to International Cricket in Asia Cup 2025, Faces UAE in Opener**
**Dubai, UAE** – After a 37-day break, Team India is set to resume international cricket at the Asia Cup 2025, kicking off their campaign against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai this Wednesday. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the team has been actively preparing for the continental tournament.
The Asia Cup holds added significance as India is also scheduled to face arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14, marking their first encounter since the recent terrorist attack.
Ahead of the match against UAE, former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his humorous insights. Akhtar, known for his witty analysis, scrutinized India’s squad, humorously questioning which players would be benched given the team’s depth. “Who do they leave out?” Akhtar quipped on the ‘Outside Edge’ YouTube channel, noting the inclusion of players like Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, and others.
Akhtar predicts a comfortable victory for India against the UAE, suggesting that a narrow loss would be a significant achievement for the host nation. He criticized Hong Kong for their substantial loss to Afghanistan, urging teams to show more fight even in defeat.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his intention to encourage aggressive play, stating he wants the team to “take the field on the front foot.” He believes aggression is essential in cricket and is eager to lead the team with a proactive approach.
First Piper 