The Asia Cup 2025 final is set to be a high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan, with the match scheduled for September 28 in Dubai. India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, has reached the final undefeated, while Pakistan aims to upset their rivals. The tournament has been marked by various controversies. The first significant incident occurred after the September 14 group-stage match, when Indian players refrained from shaking hands with the Pakistani team. This action caused friction within the Pakistani camp, leading their captain to skip the post-match presentation. The coach, Mike Hesson, took over media duties. Pakistan then sought to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from their subsequent game, but the ICC denied this request. The second match, played on September 21, saw India triumph again, winning by six wickets. The handshake issue became a topic of contention once more, leading to heated exchanges on the field. India raised objections against Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their conduct. Disciplinary actions were taken by the ICC: Haris Rauf was fined, Farhan was warned, and Suryakumar Yadav was also fined for his comments. Adding to the tension, India refused to participate in the official photoshoot on September 27, the day before the final. This decision heightened the rivalry, setting the stage for an intense final match. With India already having won two matches against Pakistan, the upcoming final promises to be a battle both on and off the field.
Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan’s Rivalry Heats Up with On and Off-Field Disputes
