Pressure mounts on both sides in a title-decider,” quotes Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha before final.
The spotlight is on the most dramatic clash of Asian cricket as arch-rivals India and Pakistan will meet in the Asia Cup final for the first time in the history of the event on Sunday.
Tonight, the Dubai Sports City Stadium will be turned into a cauldron of passion, pressure, and pride as the region’s two most beloved cricketing nations fight for continental dominance.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, not just because of the sparkling trophy up for grabs but also because of the political overtones and controversies that have soured the buildup to the final.
The last fortnight has been an rollercoaster ride. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s on-field refusal to shake hands after a nail-biting group-stage victory and his political comments during the prize distribution ceremony created outrage, triggering strong reactions from Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, whose actions on the field kept the fire burning.
Whilst India have been in imperious fashion, being convincing winners of both their Super Four matches, Pakistan fought their way into the final with a nail-biting win over Bangladesh, a result which has given their dressing room fresh hope and passion.
Rivals Pakistan and India ready for Asia Cup 2025 final showdown in Dubai
With Shaheen Shah Afridi finding his rhythm again, Haris Rauf’s pace intimidating every batter, and Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy instilling fresh confidence, Pakistan look overnight like a team who can turn the tables.
Addressing his pre-final presser, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha conceded the pressure was on.
“Pressure is on both sides in a title-decider. You can’t say who is better or has a better chance. The side that makes lesser mistakes will win the day,” he said, exhorting his players to make the most of it. Salman put across the message that Pakistan have been keeping their best for the final confrontation.
Now that we are this close to the title, we shall give our all to every department. Our batsmen still haven’t shown their best and this is the time for us to regroup and step up to the occasion,” he said.
On the contentious issue of Suryakumar Yadav’s behavior, Salman kept no punches.
I played cricket throughout my life. Even our seniors used to say that they never witnessed captains refusing to shake hands. Regardless of how intense the battle, Pakistani and Indian captains used to lead by example in the past. This is contrary to the ethos of the game.”
The Pakistan captain also rejected the latest Indian media-generated controversy about no-show for the customary trophy photoshoot.
That is for them to decide. We are here to play cricket and concentrate on the final. If they do or don’t come, it does not make a difference to us,” he insisted.
Statistically, Pakistan enter as underdogs. They have lost 12 of their 15 T20I matches to India, a record that does not do justice to the vast reservoir of talent at their disposal. A win would not only confer on them the Asia Cup but also act as a symbolic atonement for years of disappointment.
India, meanwhile, are facing fitness concerns. Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya both limped off during the clash against Bangladesh, and though the team management has remained tight-lipped, their availability for the final remains doubtful. Without two of their key all-rounders, India’s balance could be disrupted at a crucial juncture.
Off the pitch, excitement is in overdrive. Organizers are anticipating an almost full-house crowd for the final, the first in Dubai since the tournament started.
Tickets have been selling reasonably well, with fans of both sides traveling in to see what is being hyped as one of the most important Indo-Pak encounters since the 2024 World Cup tie in New York.
Even past players have thrown more fuel into the fire. Iconic pacer Wasim Akram foresaw a thriller:
“India might have the better record, but finals are all about nerves. Pakistan’s bowling line-up can destroy any team on their day. If the batsmen keep their nerve, I see them holding the trophy.”
With the countdown to 40 overs of destiny underway, the cricket world is preparing to witness a game where skill would be pitted against nerves, and passion would be pitted against history. One thing is definite on Sunday evening, Dubai would not only witness a cricket game; it would see a spectacle for the ages.
Similar Playing XIs:
Pakistan (probable): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha (Capt), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India(possible): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (Capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
