The Asia Cup 2025 is underway with eight teams competing for continental glory, and every side has now played at least one match. Some have already managed to get points on the board, while others are still searching for their first breakthrough win. Among all the fixtures, the most electrifying and highly anticipated clash is set to take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025, when India face arch-rivals Pakistan.
Both teams come into the contest with momentum, having won their opening games convincingly.
India faced the UAE in their first match and made light work of a modest 58-run target, chasing it down in just 4.3 overs. Pakistan, meanwhile, overpowered Oman by a massive 93-run margin, showing their batting and bowling strength in equal measure. With both giants looking to assert dominance, fans and experts alike are bracing for one of the most intense matches of the tournament.
Beyond the cricketing rivalry, there is also much discussion around the financial rewards associated with the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to receive around 1.1 billion Pakistani Rupees, which amounts to approximately INR 340 million, from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the 2025–26 financial year. With Pakistan guaranteed to play at least six matches in the competition, this breaks down to nearly 183 million PKR (about INR 56 million) per match. Thus, their upcoming clash against India alone carries that significant earning potential.
The story is different for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Despite being the financial powerhouse of world cricket, India has chosen not to take home any profits from the ACC share this year. Instead, the BCCI has redirected its portion to smaller cricket boards in Asia and beyond, as part of a developmental initiative to strengthen the game globally.
This encounter between India and Pakistan will also be their first meeting since the Pahalgam Attack and India’s response through Operation Sindoor, adding layers of political and emotional intensity. With heightened security at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, both teams are expected to be well-prepared for what promises to be a fiercely fought contest that could shape the path to the Super Four.
