ASIA CUP 2025 | FINAL TODAY
IND v PAK | AT 8:00PM
Dubai, Sep 27: For the first time in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan will face each other in the tournament’s final.
Across formats — ODI or T20 — the two sides have never crossed paths in a title decider. India enter the contest as the most successful team in the competition’s history with eight titles, while Pakistan, who have lifted the trophy twice, are eyeing a rare opportunity to stop their arch-rivals on the grandest stage.
Winning isn’t everything, but for 11 Indian cricketers it will be the only thing on their minds when they take on an unpredictable Pakistan here on Sunday.
The high-voltage build-up has blurred the lines between sport and politics, making this much more than a cricket match. In the words of author Mike Marqusee, it is “War Minus Shooting.”The contest, always high on adrenaline, arrives this time with a volatile backdrop, where cricket has been inseparably tied to off-field tensions.
From India’s “No Handshake Policy” in the group clash to Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf’s aircraft-crash gesture, the rivalry has been littered with flash-points and fines imposed by the ICC.
Even Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — also the PCB and ACC chief — has stirred the pot with provocative social media posts.Yet, beneath the noise, the cricket has been compelling. India are unbeaten in six matches, their campaign lit up by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting at a strike rate of over 200 and Kuldeep Yadav’s 13 wickets.
Pakistan, by contrast, have stumbled their way to the final, but head coach Mike Hesson reminded that “the final is the only match that counts.”India have injury concerns, with Hardik Pandya nursing a hamstring scare and Abhishek suffering cramps under the Gulf heat, but bowling coach Morne Morkel confirmed both are likely to feature. Abhishek’s 309 runs in six games have single-handedly carried India’s batting, though critics warn that over-reliance on one player could backfire if Pakistan’s new-ball pair Shaheen Afridi and Rauf strike early.
Pakistan’s batting woes are deeper. Aside from Sahibzada Farhan’s brief resistance, their top order has struggled badly.
Saim Ayub, billed as their answer to Abhishek, has endured a miserable run with four ducks.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy could once again prove decisive against Pakistan’s fragile middle order.
On Sunday, pedigree, form and statistics may count for little. What matters is the outcome, and for both teams, only victory will suffice.
For India, an unbeaten campaign capped with a win over their fiercest rivals would be another feather in their Asia Cup crown. For Pakistan, it is a chance to script history by finally toppling India in an Asia Cup final.
The stakes are monumental, the rivalry timeless. When the first ball is bowled at 8 pm IST, cricket’s most storied contest will step into uncharted territory. (PTI)
