The stage is all set for a landmark moment as India and Pakistan meet in the final of the Asia Cup for the first time in its four-decade history. The match is scheduled for 8 PM IST on Sunday, September
28 and will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India enter the clash as the most decorated team with eight titles to their name. On the other hand, Pakistan will be eager to add another to their tally as they have been crowned champions on only two occasions.
The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan goes far beyond just a cricketing competition. Emotions have run high throughout the tournament, fuelled by tensions and debates both on the pitch and away from it, adding even more intensity to this long-standing rivalry.
Amidst all the drama, the quality of cricket has stood out, with star India batter Abhishek Sharma dazzling at a strike rate above 200 and Kuldeep Yadav impressing on his comeback with 13 wickets.
Unfortunately, these standout performances have at times been eclipsed by heated clashes and off-field disputes. The tension took off right from the opening match between the two when India adopted a ‘no-handshake policy’, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav refusing to shake hands at both the toss and after the game.
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf hit back with jibes, foul language and even a controversial crash gesture, leading to ICC intervention.
India vs Pakistan: Pitch and Conditions at Dubai International Stadium
At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, batters who are willing to settle in and pace their innings usually reap the rewards. The new ball tends to move around in the early stages, testing the concentration of the top order before runs can flow more freely.
While bowlers get some help initially, success later in the game often depends on maintaining accuracy and control. This applies to both seamers and spinners. With the possibility of dew in the latter half, opting to chase is often considered the smarter approach here.
India vs Pakistan: Weather Outlook
According to AccuWeather, the temperature in Dubai will hit 38°C in Dubai on Sept. 28, while it will have a “RealFeel” of 42°C. The air feels hotter than the actual temperature because of humidity, wind and sunshine.
India vs Pakistan: What To Expect
India have looked unstoppable, winning six games on the trot, with only Sri Lanka managing to take them as far as a Super Over. Pakistan’s path to the final, however, has been far less convincing, marked by inconsistencies and nervy finishes.
Yet, as Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson quipped after their victory over Bangladesh, what ultimately matters is the final itself. It is a game where past form may hold little weight.
Probable Playing XI Of Both Teams
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
