Skipper Salman Agha firmly believes they have one last punch left as finals don’t follow scripts
LAHORE (Abdul Basit): Pakistan stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face arch-rivals India in the grand finale of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (today).
Led by Salman Ali Agha, the Men in Green, enter the showdown knowing they have already stumbled twice against India in the tournament, but finals are seldom about form; they are about temperament, clarity, and nerve. And Pakistan firmly believe they have one last punch left.
Their path to the final may not have been flawless, but it has been forged in fire. Against Bangladesh in what was virtually a semifinal, Pakistan were gasping at 49 for five before the lower order and bowling unit pulled off a remarkable rescue. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have recovered rhythm, Abrar Ahmed’s mystery spin has rattled top orders while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz have quietly stitched crucial cameos with both bat and ball.
If there is one department that needs a decisive lift, it is the top-order. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, both naturally attacking, must convert starts into statements. Much will also hinge on Saim Ayub’s shot selection, while skipper Salman Ali Agha, steady yet inventive, will anchor the middle. Pakistan know India will not surrender easy runs; therefore, calculated aggression rather than reckless adventure will be key.
On the other hand, India enter as overwhelming favourites, unbeaten, confident, ruthless. Abhishek Sharma, the world’s No.1 T20 batter, has bulldozed attacks with 309 tournament runs, while Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have turned the middle overs into chokeholds. Even when their second-string attack was rattled by Sri Lanka on Friday, they still found a way to escape via Super Over heroics, a sign of a champion side that refuses to break.
But finals don’t follow scripts. One Abhishek mistimed pull, one Shaheen inswinger, one Abrar googly, and momentum can flip like a coin on a windy desert night. Matches between these two sides are rarely about skill alone; they are about pressure, and Pakistan, historically, have often played their best cricket when doubted most.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said: “We have learned from our earlier games against India. This time it’s not about revenge, it’s about executing our plans with discipline. If we stay calm in key moments, Pakistan can lift the trophy.” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said: “Finals are about temperament. Pakistan are a strong side and we respect them, but our job is to stay ruthless. One last push, and history will remember this group.”
PREDICTED PLAYING XIs
PAKISTAN: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
INDIA: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
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