India-Pakistan set for Asia Cup Final clash tonight

Cricket’s most intense rivalry will reach new heights tonight as India and Pakistan face off in the final of the Asia Cup T20 2025 — the first time the two nations meet in a final in the tournament’s 41-year history.

The match will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium tonight, with the first ball scheduled for 8:30 PM Bangladesh Standard Time (BST).

Unbeaten throughout the competition, India has looked dominant, while Pakistan has reached the final after a turbulent campaign marked by ups and downs.

Notably, Pakistan lost twice to India already in this tournament — once in the group stage and again in the Super Four. Tonight’s final presents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to avenge those defeats.

A key factor for India has been the explosive form of opener Abhishek Sharma, who has powered the team’s batting with a string of commanding performances. While India’s middle order hasn’t been as threatening, Abhishek’s blistering starts have consistently given the team a strong foundation. Pakistan’s hopes may hinge on how quickly they can dismiss him.

However, Pakistan's bigger concern remains their own batting inconsistency. Their bowling unit has carried the team throughout the tournament, while the batting lineup has struggled. In the semi-final win over Bangladesh, Pakistan could only manage 135 runs — a total their bowlers impressively defended. But against a formidable Indian side, Pakistan will need a significant improvement with the bat.

An India-Pakistan match is never just about cricket — it brings with it decades of rivalry, passion, and emotion. While India has so far looked like the tournament’s most dominant side, Pakistan will be eager to flip the script in what promises to be a high-octane finale.