Akram urges Pakistan to play 'sensible cricket' against favourites India

The 2025 Asia Cup is set for a historic finale on Sunday in Dubai, where India and Pakistan will meet in the tournament's first-ever summit clash in its 41-year history, adding yet another fiery chapter to cricket's most intense rivalry.

Both sides have already clashed twice in this edition, with India emerging victorious on both occasions. Suryakumar Yadav's men cruised to a seven-wicket win in the group stage, before sealing a six-wicket triumph in the Super Four encounter. Pakistan, however, sealed their spot in the final with a hard-fought 11-run victory over Bangladesh on Thursday, successfully defending a modest target of 136.

Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has installed India as favourites for the title, but urged his countrymen to carry their momentum and confidence into the final — and above all, to "play sensible cricket." "India definitely is favourite on Sunday. But you guys have seen, cricket lovers have seen, I have seen, anything can happen in this format. One good innings, one spell can change the course of the game," the former left-arm great said.

Akram added that Pakistan's new-ball bowlers must strike early to unsettle India's strong top order, particularly openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who put on a 105-run stand in the Super Four clash earlier this month. "Ideally, a couple of early wickets, especially Abhishek and Gill, that can definitely put India on a back-foot," he noted.

The build-up to the final has not been short of controversy. India's Suryakumar was fined 30 per cent of his match fees after dedicating the group-stage win to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. On the Pakistan side, Haris Rauf copped a similar penalty for aggressive gestures towards fans during the Super Four match, while Sahibzada Farhan was handed a warning for his 'gun' celebration after a half-century.

Despite the off-field noise, all eyes will be on Dubai this Sunday as cricket's fiercest rivals lock horns in a final that promises to be as high-voltage as any India-Pakistan contest.