India Vs Pakistan Final : Asia Cup 2025 – A Do or Die Match!

The Asia Cup 2025 is reaching its climax, and one of the most eagerly awaited matches is set to take place Today. Today’s match India vs Pakistan After 41 Years in Asia cup History. Both teams Would not face Each other In Asia cup History That’s the Today’s Match is Do or Dia Match for Both teams.

Pakistan will face the India in what promises to be a high-stakes and thrilling encounter. With one eye on the Final and the other on pride and performance, this match is a defining moment for both teams.

Both teams Would face each other two times in Asia cup 2025.

🏟 Match Details

• Match: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 Final
• Date: Sunday, 28 September 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)
  • Toss: Around 7:30 PM IST
  • In GMT, that’s 14:30 GMT start time
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, UAE
• Format: T20 International (Final match of Asia Cup 2025)

India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025: Context & Recent Matches

Here’s how things have shaped up in Asia Cup 2025, focusing on ind vs pak :

1. Group Stage Match :- In Group match India and Pakistan face each other and India won that match By 7 Wickets.
2. Match details :-   Pakistan batted first and scored around 127/9 in their 20 overs.
   India chased it down in 15.5 overs.
3. Super Four :- They met again in the Super Four stage. India again beat Pakistan by 6 wickets.
   Match details :- 1. Pakistan batted first and scored around 171/5 in their 20 overs.
   2. India chased it down in 18.5 overs.
   3. Played a key role by Abhishek Sharma with 74 off 39 balls, And he was the “Player of the
   Match.”
   4. Pakistan captain Salman Agha commented that the powerplay hurt them and they
   missed some opportunities.
4. What this means for final: Since India has been performing strongly and remains unbeaten, they are clear favorites to reach the final. Pakistan, on the other hand, must win crucial matches to keep their chances alive.
5. Historic note: Today they will meet in the final, it will be the first time in Asia Cup history that India and Pakistan face each other in the final.
6. Tensions & no handshake: The handshake controversy may seem small on the surface, but it touches deeper issues like respect, pride, and fairness in sports. For Pakistan, this is about defending dignity. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to hands shake with Pakistan’s captain at the toss.

So, in Asia Cup 2025, India has had the advantage so far in the head-to-head, and Pakistan is fighting to stay alive and perhaps avenge their losses.

What Happened? The Handshake Controversy Explained

The trouble began during the ind vs pak match in the Asia Cup 2025. At the end of the game, it is customary for both teams’ captains and players to shake hands as a sign of sportsmanship and mutual respect. However, this time something unusual happened.

📌 Match Referee’s Role

The match referee for the tournament was Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwe cricketer. His job was to ensure that the game follows rules and maintains discipline.

Before the toss and after the match, he reportedly stopped the Pakistani captain from shaking hands with the Indian captain, citing guidelines about maintaining professionalism and distancing during the game. Many felt this was unnecessary and disrespectful.

Why Was Pakistan Upset?

1. Violation of Spirit of the Game
   Cricket is known as a gentleman’s game, where handshakes symbolize respect, sportsmanship, and fair play. By stopping the handshake, Pakistan felt the spirit of cricket was compromised.
2. Political and Emotional Context
   India vs Pakistan matches are always high-pressure and emotional. The handshake is more than a formality—it’s a way to calm nerves and promote goodwill. The Pakistani players and fans felt that stopping it was an insult.
3. Demand to Remove Andy Pycroft
   Pakistan’s cricket board (PCB) reacted strongly. They demanded that Andy Pycroft be removed from officiating further matches, claiming he acted unfairly and biased against Pakistan.

What Did the ICC Say?

The International Cricket Council (ICC), which governs international cricket, rejected Pakistan’s demand.

• ICC explained that Pycroft followed instructions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is the regional body organizing the tournament.
• They said that the referee acted according to the guidelines, not out of bias or personal opinions.

This rejection was a big blow to Pakistan’s demands, making it harder for them to challenge the decision.

What to Watch / Key Factors in Next Match

If India vs Pakistan face off again (especially in the final), here are elements to watch:

1. Powerplay / early overs — who gets momentum early.
2. Spin vs pace matchups — Dubai pitches often assist spinners at certain phases.
3. Death overs bowling & batting — how each team handles the last 4–5 overs.
4. Fielding & catching under pressure — dropped catches or misfields can decide close games.
5. Mental game & composure — how players handle tension, sledging, and expectations.
6. Toss & match conditions — which team bats first, dew, wind, pitch condition.
7. Captains & leadership — in tight games, decision-making from captains and the support staff will matter.

Also Read :- Wake Up Dead Man : A Knives Out Mystery

Frequently asked question :-

1. Q1. Is stopping a handshake allowed in cricket?
   ✔ Answer: There is no official rule in the Laws of Cricket that requires teams to shake hands. However, it is a long-standing tradition that promotes sportsmanship. A match referee can enforce guidelines about player behavior, but traditions like handshakes are usually encouraged unless they compromise safety or discipline.
2. Can teams protest against a referee’s decision?
   ✔ Answer: Yes, teams can raise concerns with tournament organizers or the governing body (like ICC or ACC). However, unless a formal appeal is filed and upheld, the referee’s decision stands.
3. Can the ICC remove a referee mid-tournament?
   ✔ Answer: It’s rare and usually happens only in cases of serious misconduct or bias proven through formal review. Decisions made under tournament protocols, especially when endorsed by the ACC, are harder to overturn.
4. What is the spirit of cricket, and how does it relate to this controversy?
   ✔ Answer: The spirit of cricket emphasizes respect, fairness, and camaraderie among teams. Stopping a handshake may be seen as discouraging goodwill, while enforcing discipline is seen as maintaining professionalism. The controversy lies in balancing both.

Overview of the Rivalry: India vs Pakistan in Cricket

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is among the most intense in sports. Matches between them are much more than just games — national pride, politics, history, and emotion all play a role.

• The rivalry spans Test, ODI, T20I, and across tournaments like World Cups, Asia Cups, ICC events, etc.
• Because of political tensions and diplomatic issues, bilateral series between India and Pakistan are rare; often their only meetings happen in ICC / Asia Cup / multi-nation tournaments.
• The pressure, viewership, crowd intensity, media coverage—everything is magnified when India and Pakistan play.

Final Thoughts

The India vs Pakistan rivalry is not just cricket — it’s passion, politics, pride, and pure intensity.
India has the upper hand historically and in current form. Pakistan, however, can never be underestimated in knockout games — one big innings or spell can flip everything.

The Asia Cup 2025 Final (if both qualify) could become one of the most-watched matches in cricket history. Fans worldwide are waiting for this clash of titans in Dubai.