The air crackles with anticipation as cricket’s fiercest rivals, India and Pakistan, prepare to face off in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The world’s gaze is fixed on Dubai this Sunday, September 28, as these two cricketing giants meet in what’s not just another match, but a historic first: never before have India and Pakistan clashed in an Asia Cup final. The stakes? Sky-high. The emotions? Even higher.
Millions of fans across South Asia and beyond will tune in, with Willow TV (via Sling TV) streaming the action live in the United States and SonyLIV/Sony Sports Network covering India and the UK. The first ball is set to be bowled at 10:30 AM EDT (8:00 PM IST, 3:30 PM GMT), but the drama has been building for weeks—and not just on the pitch.
Let’s rewind a bit. India have been nothing short of dominant in this tournament, racking up six straight wins, including two over Pakistan—one in the group stage and another in the Super Four. Led by the unflappable Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue are aiming for a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title. Their batting has been set ablaze by Abhishek Sharma, who leads the tournament with 309 runs from six innings. Sharma’s explosive starts have covered for Yadav’s own struggles with the bat—at least so far. As for the rest of the Indian squad, names like Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah add both firepower and depth, making this team a formidable force.
Pakistan’s journey, on the other hand, has been a rollercoaster. Captained by Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green have tasted defeat only twice—both times at the hands of India. Yet, they’ve shown grit, especially in their nail-biting semi-final win over Bangladesh. Pakistan’s squad is packed with talent: the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf are all capable of turning the match on its head. But the pressure is immense. Pakistan hasn’t lifted the Asia Cup since 2012, and they’re desperate to avoid a third loss to India in a single tournament.
But it’s not just cricket that’s been making headlines. The build-up to this final has been marred by off-field controversies and political undertones. Former Pakistan captain and administrator Ramiz Raja put it bluntly: “The temperature must be lowered and all eyes should be on the game of cricket. It is not only the responsibility of the cricket boards and players but also the fans, stakeholders, and social media commentators to demonstrate astuteness because the emotions are still raw. Everyone needs a moment of sanity.” (As told to Al Jazeera.)
Indeed, the Asia Cup’s final week has seen its share of drama. There was the much-publicized no-handshake row, a flurry of politically charged gestures, and public complaints filed by both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC responded by summoning players from both sides for disciplinary hearings at its Dubai headquarters. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav was fined 30% of his match fee for referencing “Operation Sindoor” in a post-match comment following India’s win on September 14. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf faced the music for their own provocative gestures during the Super Four clash on September 21—Farhan mimicked a gunshot to celebrate his half-century, while Rauf responded to crowd heckling with symbolic gestures. ICC match referee Richie Richardson handed Rauf a similar fine and let Farhan off with a warning. While the ICC hasn’t officially announced the sanctions, the message was clear: keep the focus on cricket.
Raja, reflecting on the situation, remarked, “The ICC’s decision to fine players on both sides must have reduced the pressure on them [players] and helped redefine the rules of engagement [for the final].” He went on, “The debate should be whether Pakistan will lift their game [in the final] or if it will be a third-time malfunction [against India].”
For the players, the pressure is unlike anything else in world cricket. Bilateral series between India and Pakistan have long been suspended due to political tensions, making every ICC or regional tournament encounter a blockbuster event. The rivalry is so intense that, as Raja noted, “The entire world waits for this contest not because of the skill levels of the players or the quality of contest, but due to the political needle between these two countries.”
Yet, both teams’ camps are determined to keep their eyes on the prize. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha struck a composed note in his pre-final media interaction, refusing to be baited by provocative questions and simply stating his aim to play “good cricket.” On the Indian side, bowling coach Morne Morkel echoed the sentiment, saying, “Let’s look forward to the battle on Sunday.”
Fans, too, are caught in the fever. For many, this is more than just a game—it’s a cultural event, a rare moment when sport briefly bridges the divide between two nations with a complicated history. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be packed, with supporters from both sides creating a cauldron of noise and color. Social media, meanwhile, has been ablaze with predictions, memes, and passionate debates.
So what can we expect on the field? India’s unbeaten run gives them momentum, but Pakistan’s hunger and unpredictability make them dangerous. Watch for Abhishek Sharma to set the tone early for India, while Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, will be eager to make breakthroughs. The captains—Suryakumar Yadav for India and Salman Ali Agha for Pakistan—will have their tactical acumen tested to the limit. And don’t be surprised if the match goes down to the wire; after all, these two sides have a knack for producing cricketing thrillers.
As the world waits for the first-ever India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final, one thing is certain: history will be made, whatever the outcome. The action is set, the drama is real, and for a few hours on Sunday, cricket will take center stage—a welcome respite from the noise and a reminder of the unifying power of sport.
