Fans arrive at Dubai Cricket Stadium ahead of high voltage India, Pakistan final clash
- Last updated: September 28, 2025 | 16:40
The stage is set for the grandest showdown of Asian cricket, arch-rivals Pakistan and India locking horns in the Asia Cup final for the very first time in the tournament’s history at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday evening.
This evening, the Dubai Sports City Stadium will be transformed into a cauldron of passion, pressure, and pride as the two most celebrated cricketing nations in the region battle for continental supremacy.
The Asia Cup 2025 has saved its biggest billing for last. On Sunday evening in Dubai, India and Pakistan will contest the tournament’s first-ever final against each other, a decider already heavy with political baggage, on-field spats, and the pressure of history.
Pakistan booked their place after edging Bangladesh by 11 runs, setting up a third meeting in the competition with arch-rivals India, who have looked the tournament’s most dominant side.
The build-up, though, has been dominated as much by handshake controversies and fiery celebrations as by the cricket itself.
The defending champions, unbeaten in six games this edition, remain overwhelming favourites.
Their batting has been spearheaded by opener Abhishek Sharma, who tops the tournament charts with 309 runs at 51.50, including consecutive half-centuries. At the other end, their attack has been led by Kuldeep Yadav, who is the highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets at 9.84.
India’s biggest vulnerability has been in the field: 12 dropped catches so far, with some players blaming Dubai’s “ring of fire” floodlights.
But with depth across their batting and bowling, they have rarely looked threatened.
For Pakistan, this is a chance to flip the script.
Their batting has been brittle, collapsing to 49 for 5 against Bangladesh before scrambling to a defendable total.
Sahibzada Farhan has been the only consistent performer, scoring 160 runs at 26.66, including a half-century against India in the Super Four clash.
Saim Ayub has endured a unimpressive time with the bat – just 23 runs in six games – though his left-arm spin has fetched eight wickets.
The bowling remains Pakistan’s best hope.
Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi have both taken nine wickets, their pace and aggression will likely define the contest.
Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz provide spin options to tie down India’s middle order.
The cricket narrative has been overshadowed by political undertones.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav has twice refused to shake hands with Salman Ali Agha, while Pakistan players have celebrated wickets with military-style gestures.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s coach, has urged his players to “just focus on cricket,” but the passion has already spilled over.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes India are the favourites to win the Asia Cup final but should not take their opponent lightly as Pakistan is a "highly emotional team" in any final they play.
The excitement surrounding the upcoming summit clash is intense because of how the previous two matches between the sides unfolded. From India’s handshake snub in the group stage game to Pakistan players’ controversial gestures and celebrations in the Super 4s match, both teams were involved in considerable drama.
"India look like the favourites to win the Asia Cup final against Pakistan because they’ve shown great bowling performances, and their batting has also been going well. There’s just one issue. If opener Abhishek Sharma is dismissed early, then there are chances of the middle order being exposed in the powerplay,” Panesar told IANS.
"This can cause damage because Pakistan is a highly emotional team in any final, and they’ll play rigorously. They’ll need early wickets, and the fast bowling must be good in the powerplay," he added.
Panesar, who has closely followed India-Pakistan encounters, stated that the Men in Blue have the advantage as they prepare for their match against arch-rivals Pakistan, eyeing their ninth Asia Cup title.
"However, the Indian team appears very strong, and I believe India will win. If they bat well in the powerplay and keep their wickets safe, they’re most likely to win,” Panesar said.
After India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their group stage match, the two sides faced each other again in the Super Fours game, where the Men in Blue secured another confident six-wicket victory.
Both teams head into the final with a win from their previous encounters and will be hungry for a win in the ultimate showdown.