Dubai: Cricket’s fiercest rivalry will once again take center stage as India and Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Thursday, September 26, at the Dubai International Stadium.

Despite heightened political tensions between the two nations, excitement for the grand finale is sky-high, with thousands of fans across the region eager to witness what promises to be a historic encounter.

Tickets and Promotions
As of Friday, September 26, the official PlatinumList website shows that tickets are still available, starting from Dh350 in the Upper stands. Hospitality packages are also on sale, beginning at Dh1,500.

To encourage late buyers, organisers recently launched a special promotion: fans can purchase three premium tickets for the price of two, giving more supporters the chance to experience the high-octane final in person. A detailed stadium map with ticket categories and availability has been shared to help spectators plan their visit.

Tensions on and off the field
The tournament has been played under the shadow of political strain following the military conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year in May. The rivalry has spilled over onto the cricket field, with several flashpoints during previous matches.

In the first two meetings of the competition, players from both sides refused post-match handshakes. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was accused of making a political gesture during the opening match, while Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf came under fire for their aggressive celebrations in the second game.

Addressing the controversies, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson urged his squad to remain composed.

“My message to the players is to focus solely on cricket, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing,” Hesson said. “There’s always passion in high-pressure matches, but the key is to channel it into performance.”

Form and Rankings
India enter the final as the top-ranked ICC team and heavy favourites. They dominated Pakistan in both earlier meetings: first, by chasing down a modest target of 128 with ease, and then by securing a six-wicket victory in the return clash.

Acknowledging India’s strength, Hesson admitted his team faces an uphill challenge.
“We have to be good enough to put India under pressure for longer, because they are the world’s No. 1 side for a reason. That’s the test ahead of us,” he said.

As the cricketing world turns its eyes to Dubai, all signs point to another fiery India-Pakistan showdown—one that could be remembered for years to come.