This historic encounter marks a significant milestone in cricket's biggest rivalry, as both nations have reached Asia Cup finals before but never against each other. The match promises to deliver high-octane drama as India seeks their record-extending ninth Asia Cup title while Pakistan aims for their third crown and first since 2012.
Return of Champions Trophy Veterans
Remarkably, five players from the memorable 2017 Champions Trophy final - where Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs - will feature in this crucial showdown. From India's side, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya return as seasoned campaigners who experienced that disappointing defeat at The Oval. Bumrah, who famously bowled a costly no-ball that gave Fakhar Zaman a lifeline when he was on just three runs, will be determined to make amends.
Hardik Pandya, who scored a defiant 76 runs in that 2017 final, remains a key all-rounder for the Men in Blue and continues to play crucial roles in high-pressure contests.
From Pakistan's triumphant 2017 squad, three players return: Fakhar Zaman, who scored a match-winning century (114 runs) after benefiting from Bumrah's no-ball, Hassan Ali, who was the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps, and Faheem Ashraf, who played a supporting role. Interestingly, Hassan Ali has yet to feature in a single match during the current Asia Cup 2025 edition.
India's Dominant Record
India enters the final as overwhelming favorites, having maintained a perfect record in the tournament with six consecutive victories, including two comprehensive wins over Pakistan in the group stage and Super Four phase. The Men in Blue have dominated this rivalry in recent years, holding an impressive 11-3 head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 Internationals.
In Dubai specifically, India enjoys a 3-2 advantage over Pakistan in T20I encounters, making the venue relatively favorable for the defending champions.
Pakistan's Journey to the Final
Pakistan's path to the final has been challenging, with defeats only coming against India while managing victories against other opponents. Their qualification was secured after a tense low-scoring victory over Bangladesh in the Super Four stage. The Green Shirts will be looking to turn their fortunes around and script a memorable upset against their arch-rivals.
Tournament Legacy and Stakes
India has won the Asia Cup a record eight times, making them the most successful team in the tournament's history. Pakistan, with two titles to their name, ranks third in the overall tally behind Sri Lanka. This final represents Pakistan's first appearance in an Asia Cup final since their 2022 defeat to Sri Lanka.
The last time these two nations met in a major tournament final was during the 2017 Champions Trophy, where Pakistan's comprehensive 180-run victory remains one of cricket's most stunning upsets. Before that, their previous final encounter was in the 2007 T20 World Cup, which India won to claim their inaugural World T20 title.
Match Details and Broadcast
The toss is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, with the first ball at 8:00 PM IST. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network in India, with streaming available on SonyLIV and FanCode. Dubai's evening conditions typically offer even bounce with early seam movement and later assistance for spinners, while dew factor could influence the toss decision.
This historic final promises to be a fitting climax to Asia Cup 2025, as cricket's greatest rivalry writes a new chapter in the annals of the sport's most prestigious continental tournament.
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