The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday has reached full capacity, with all 28,000 seats sold out. This historic match marks the first time these arch-rivals will meet in an Asia Cup final since the tournament’s inception in 1984.The tournament has consistently drawn large crowds for matches between these teams, with 20,000 spectators attending the group match on September 14 and 17,000 for the Super Four clash on September 21.India enters the final as favorites, having won 12 out of their 15 T20I encounters against Pakistan and defeating them comprehensively in both their Asia Cup 2025 meetings.Pakistan’s journey to the final has been challenging. They nearly faced elimination during their Super Fours match against Bangladesh but managed to secure an 11-run victory to advance to the final.
India experienced an injury scare when Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya suffered cramps during their final Super Fours match against Sri Lanka. Both players have since been declared fit for the final.The Indian squad comprises Suryakumar Yadav as captain, along with Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.Pakistan’s team includes Salman Ali Agha as captain, with Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.This is the third meeting between India and Pakistan in as many weeks, but this time there is a trophy at stake. For all the chatter, all the distractions, this final will be remembered not for press conferences or post-match gestures, but for the cricket played under the lights in Dubai.
