The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan is generating buzz not just for the highly anticipated on-field clash, but also for the potential off-field drama surrounding the presence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi. The match, set to take place on September 28, 2025, in Dubai, marks the first time India and Pakistan will face each other in an Asia Cup final, a historic moment in the tournament's 41-year history.
Naqvi's attendance at the post-match presentation ceremony is customary for the ACC chairman, where he is expected to hand over the trophy to the winning team. However, his presence has become a point of contention due to his dual roles as PCB chief and Pakistan's Interior Minister, as well as his past remarks and actions perceived as critical of India.
Tensions between the BCCI and PCB have reportedly simmered throughout the Asia Cup. A notable incident occurred after India's victory over Pakistan on September 14, when the PCB, allegedly at Naqvi's behest, accused match referee Andy Pycroft of preventing the exchange of pleasantries between the teams. The ICC swiftly rejected this claim. Furthermore, Naqvi reportedly sought to have India captain Suryakumar Yadav banned from the final for dedicating his team's win to the Indian Armed Forces and expressing solidarity with the families affected by the Pahalgam terror attack.
Adding to the complexity, the Indian team has maintained a "no-handshake" policy with Pakistan during this Asia Cup edition. It remains uncertain whether the BCCI will permit its players to interact with Naqvi, given his history of public anti-India positions. A tournament insider stated that the BCCI's decision was pending.
Despite the off-field controversies, there is a call for attention to return to the cricket itself. Former player and administrator Ramiz Raja urged players, fans, and officials to let the sport return to a "moment of sanity". Millions of fans worldwide are expected to watch the heated rivalry unfold.
India secured their place in the final after a Super Over win against Sri Lanka. However, the team faced injury concerns ahead of the final, with Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma reportedly injured. While Sharma's condition has improved, Pandya's participation remains uncertain pending further examination.
The Asia Cup 2025, officially scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates, features eight teams competing in the T20 format. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan automatically qualified, along with the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Hong Kong.
The Asia Cup final is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website in India, with telecasts on Sony Sports Network channels.
