The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan has already set the stage for drama even before a ball is bowled. From on-field battles to off-field controversies, the buildup to Sunday’s title clash in Dubai has been nothing short of explosive.
Salman Agha Confident Despite India’s Dominance
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha admitted that pressure will be inevitable when the two arch-rivals meet in the historic final. India have already beaten Pakistan twice in this tournament—first in the group stage and then in the Super 4s. Yet, Salman remained upbeat about his team’s chances.
“We will win. Our attempt is to play our best cricket. If we execute our plans for 40 overs, we can beat any side,” Salman told reporters.
The Pakistan captain also stressed that the outcome will come down to mistakes: “In India vs Pakistan, the team making fewer errors will win.”
Suryakumar Declines Pre-Final Photoshoot
A fresh controversy unfolded when India captain Suryakumar Yadav opted out of the customary pre-final photoshoot with Salman Agha. When asked about it, the Pakistan captain brushed it off:
“It is his call, whether he wants to come or not. I can’t do anything about it.”
Earlier, Suryakumar had played down the idea of an “India-Pakistan rivalry,” pointing instead to India’s strong head-to-head record.
Toss Factor in Spotlight
The Asia Cup 2025 has seen the toss play a decisive role—11 of 18 matches have been won by the team batting second. However, Salman believes the coin flip won’t matter much in the final.
“The toss is just a way to start the game. It is not in your control. What matters is execution on the day,” he said.
On-Field Highlights So Far
- Group Stage: India beat Pakistan by seven wickets, with Suryakumar Yadav steadying the chase and Kuldeep Yadav shining with three wickets.
- Super 4s: India successfully chased 172, their highest-ever T20 chase against Pakistan, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s fiery 74.
- First Final Meeting: Despite their storied rivalry, this will be the first-ever Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan.
Off-Field Tensions Continue
The tournament has been marred by controversies that spilled far beyond cricket:
- The “no-handshake” row erupted after Suryakumar did not shake hands with Salman at the toss.
- Post-match, Surya dedicated India’s win to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, drawing protests from the PCB over political messaging.
- Pakistani batter Sahibzada Farhan’s gunshot celebration and Haris Rauf’s “plane crash” gesture added further fuel, being widely linked to past military conflicts.
- Pakistan even threatened to withdraw after demanding the removal of the match referee, delaying one of their fixtures by an hour.
Both boards have since adopted symbolic stances—India continuing its “invisible boycott” by keeping BCCI officials away from matches, while Pakistan boycotted multiple press conferences.
A Historic Showdown Awaits
When India and Pakistan walk out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, it won’t just be about cricket. It will be about pride, pressure, and political undertones that make every Indo-Pak clash a spectacle beyond the boundary.
With India chasing a hat-trick of wins over Pakistan in this tournament, and Salman Agha’s men desperate to turn the tide, the final promises to be a contest etched in history.