The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and with the competition only days away, teams are finalising their rosters. India and Pakistan have already confirmed their lineups, with numerous high-profile players out from both teams. The early roster announcements have spurred debate among fans and pundits about team balance and strategy heading into the continental confrontation.
An peculiar part of Asia Cup history enhances the appeal of this edition.
Despite their strong rivalry in international cricket, India and Pakistan have never met in an Asia Cup final. In the tournament’s 41-year history, which includes 16 finals, the arch-rivals have yet to meet in the summit fight for the first time.
India has reached the final of the Asia Cup 11 times, facing Sri Lanka nine times and Bangladesh twice, but never against Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, has reached five finals, defeating Sri Lanka four times and Bangladesh once.
Overall, India and Pakistan have played 18 Asia Cup matches, including ODI and T20 forms. India has won ten of these clashes, Pakistan has six, and two have ended in draws. Their most recent match was in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India, headed by Rohit Sharma, defeated Pakistan by 228 runs, the fourth-largest winning margin in Asia Cup history.
For the 2025 edition, the eight teams have been split into two groups and the tournament will be played in T20 format, as a preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Group A features India, Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.
India will begin their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, while the highly anticipated clash between the arch-rivals is set to be held on September 14 in Dubai. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, where they will play each other once under the same system. The top two sides from the Super Four will then meet in the final, set for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India
