Picture Credit: X
The Men’s Asia Cup 2025, underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reached its penultimate stage with India setting up a title clash against Pakistan. The highly-anticipated match is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday, September 28 from 8:00 pm (IST) onwards. Notably, this will be the third time that the two teams will be playing against each other.
While their first outing in the continental tournament came in the group stage on September 14 where India registered a commanding seven-wicket win, their second match was played last Sunday where India once again handed their arch-rivals a six-wicket defeat. While the Men in Blue will hope to continue their winning streak, Pakistan on the other hand will hope to avenge their two defeats.
India is definitely the favourite: Wasim Akram ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Final
As the excitement gets into the nerves, both teams will hope to address their concerns and come out good tonight. Speaking ahead of the match, former Pakistan cricketer and legend of the game, Wasim Akram shared a piece of advice for Salman Ali Agha and his men. The former Pakistan captain opined that Pakistan should to get early breakthroughs despite accepting that India would remain the favourites.
“It’s India - Pakistan game. India is definitely the favourite for Sunday, …. but anything can happen. One good innings, one spell can change the course of the game. Pakistan team should take this confidence, this momentum and must believe and back themselves and play sensible cricket,” Akram said while speaking to Liberty Wire. When asked if some early wickets can get Pakistan into the game, Akram remarked, “a couple of early wickets, especially Abhishek Sharma, Gill, that can put India on the back foot. Should be a close game and I hope the best team wins in the end.”
While the two teams have previously faced each other in 15 T20Is so far where India has come out victorious in 11 of them whereas Pakistan have registered wins in only three games. Moreover, this will the first-ever time that India will take Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in the tournament’s 41-year-long history.
