Overview

• The fixture is the first competitive meeting since the Pahalgam attack and subsequent cross‑border hostilities earlier this year.
• India crushed UAE by nine wickets with Kuldeep Yadav taking 4 for 7, while Pakistan defeated Oman by 93 runs powered by Mohammad Haris’s 66.
• India are expected to stick with a bat‑deep XI featuring two spinners, as Pakistan signal faith in a spin‑heavy approach under coach Mike Hesson.
• Dry Dubai conditions point to a key spin battle, with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy set against Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Nawaz.
• BCCI officials say the board is following Sports Ministry permission for multination events, and reports from Dubai highlight muted on‑ground hype, unsold tickets and few top board officials present.