Following the league phase and the Super Fours, Dubai is all set to host the grand final of the Asia Cup 2025. India and Pakistan will clash in the marquee clash on Sunday, September 28.
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This will be the third time that the teams will face off in this edition of the Asia Cup. Additionally, the two teams will make history as Sunday's final marks the first time India and Pakistan will face off in an Asia Cup final.
After India came on top in the two previous matches, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar boldly backed the law of averages to strike India in the final.
Shoaib Akhtar predicts whether Pakistan can beat Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025
In both the group stage and Super Four matches against India, Abhishek Sharma played a key role in keeping Pakistan on the back foot with his aggressive batting.
The opener has scored 105 runs in two innings against the Men in Green at a strike rate of 201.92, including a fifty.
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Speaking to Tamasha Digital ahead of the final, Shoaib Akhtar expressed confidence that his team could take Sharma’s early wicket and bring Pakistan back into the contest.
"India can win two matches in a row but winning three consecutively? India should have a bad day on Sunday," thinks the former Pakistan bowler.
"India may be the number 1 team and we respect it but creating a scenario, what if Abhishek is dismissed early on? If he is dismissed early, then India will understand. Pakistan should not think that India is the number 1 team — they have made it to the final and should think 'now we are here to beat you'," said Akhtar.
Contrary to the legendary pacer's view, India's dominance over Pakistan has stood the test of time, with the Men in Blue extending their winning streak to seven consecutive matches.
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Since the start of the decade, Pakistan have beaten India only twice in 11 matches, with one ending in 'No result'. A victory in the final would give captain Salman Agha and his team a confidence boost, heading into the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.
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