Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs in their Super Fours match in Dubai on Thursday to advance to the final of the Asia Cup 2025, where it will meet arch-rival India.
India had already booked a place in the title decider after its win over Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The two teams will play the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, marking the first Asia Cup final between the two nations.
They have already met twice this Asia Cup, with India prevailing on both occasions. It first beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage before securing a six-wicket triumph in the Super Fours.
The contests between India and Pakistan this year have come close on the heels of geopolitical tensions between the two countries. India refused the customary post-match handshakes with the Pakistan players in both games, as a mark of respect for the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his side’s win in the group stage to India’s armed forces. He was later reprimanded by the ICC for making a political statement after a complaint from Pakistan.
The skirmishes spilt over to the field too, with India batter Abhishek Sharma getting into verbal altercations with Pakistani pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during their Super Fours game.
Published on Sep 25, 2025
