Match-up: India vs Pakistan
Event: T20 Asia Cup 2025 Final
Date & Time: Sunday, September 28 at 14:30 GMT
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
The much-anticipated Asia Cup final will see India and Pakistan clash in Dubai this Sunday, a contest charged with both sporting rivalry and political undertones, marking their first title showdown in this regional tournament.
Pakistan earned their spot in the final by narrowly defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday, setting up a thrilling encounter against their historic rivals, India.
India, the reigning champions, secured their place earlier after overcoming Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India concluded their Super Fours phase with a nail-biting Super Over victory against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Key Details About the Asia Cup 2025 Final
What has fueled the recent strain between India and Pakistan?
This final arrives just months after a tense four-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not engaged in a bilateral cricket series for over ten years.
What transpired in their latest encounters?
During this Asia Cup, India triumphed over Pakistan twice-in the group stage and the Super Four round. However, tensions were evident as India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan’s skipper Salman Agha, and players from both teams avoided the customary post-match handshakes.
How has India performed in this Asia Cup?
India remains unbeaten, winning all six matches in this 17th edition, which is played in the T20 format. They are aiming to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title, extending their record.
Opener Abhishek Sharma has been outstanding, scoring consecutive super-fours-asia-cup/” title=”Bangladesh Triumphs Over Sri Lanka in a Nail…Biting … at … | Cricket News”>half-centuries, while left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav leads the bowling attack with 12 wickets.
Despite their success, India’s fielding has been a weak point, with 12 catches dropped so far. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy attributed this to the challenging lighting conditions created by the stadium’s 350 floodlights, calling it a “ring of fire.”
“Improving our fielding is crucial, and the fielding coach has a significant role to play,” Chakravarthy commented.
What are Pakistan’s prospects in the final?
Pakistan, two-time Asia Cup winners, will depend heavily on their pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to strike early blows. Their spin duo, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz, will be tasked with restricting India’s formidable batting lineup.
However, Pakistan’s batting has shown vulnerability, exemplified by their collapse to 49-5 against Bangladesh before rallying to a defendable 135-8 total, which ultimately secured victory.
After defeating Pakistan twice in the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav downplayed the rivalry, but Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson remains confident his side can challenge the world’s top-ranked T20 team.
How many Asia Cup titles have India and Pakistan won?
Pakistan has claimed the Asia Cup twice, in 2000 and 2012, and reached the final five times overall.
India boasts seven titles, having appeared in 11 finals, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
When did Pakistan last defeat India in the Asia Cup?
Pakistan’s most recent Asia Cup victory over India was in the 2022 edition held in the UAE. Mohammad Rizwan led the scoring with 71 runs in the Super Four match, but it was Mohammad Nawaz’s explosive 41 off 20 balls that sealed the win.
India vs Pakistan: T20 International head-to-head record
Since the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, India and Pakistan have faced off 15 times in T20 internationals. India has dominated with 12 wins, including the inaugural match which was decided by a Super Over after a tie.
Pakistan’s three victories include two memorable wins in Dubai.
Key players to watch: India
Abhishek Sharma: The young opener has impressed by securing a spot in India’s competitive T20 batting order. At 24, Sharma boasts the highest career strike rate of 198 among T20 batters, with two centuries and five half-centuries, including three half-centuries in his last three innings, highlighted by his performance in the Super Fours win over Pakistan.
Key players to watch: Pakistan
Shaheen Shah Afridi: The former captain has regained his form, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s crucial win against Bangladesh. Although he went wicketless in the two matches against India, Afridi has taken eight wickets in the other three games, including a Player of the Match performance with figures of 3-17.
India’s recent form
India remains undefeated in the Asia Cup and has not lost a T20 series since their World Cup triumph in June 2024.
Last five results (most recent first): W-W-W-W-W
Pakistan’s recent form
Pakistan’s T20 form has been inconsistent, but in this Asia Cup, their only losses have come against India, with four wins overall.
Last five results (most recent first): W-W-L-W-L
Team updates: India
India is expected to field the same squad that defeated Pakistan in both the group and Super Fours matches.
Projected India line-up: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
Team updates: Pakistan
Pakistan is likely to stick with the XI that secured victory over Sri Lanka.
Projected Pakistan line-up: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
How to watch and follow the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final
Al Jazeera Sport will provide live pre-match coverage starting at 09:30 GMT, followed by detailed photo and text commentary throughout the final.
The match will be broadcast live on various terrestrial and satellite channels, as well as streaming platforms worldwide.
Ticket information for the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final
General admission tickets are sold out, but hospitality packages remain available, starting at $991. These can be purchased through the official tournament ticketing website.
