For all the noise surrounding potential boycotts and political grandstanding ahead of the Asia Cup, cricket has — once again — had the final say. A social media-driven call from a section of India to boycott matches against Pakistan, sparked by the Pahalgam terror incident, briefly trended online before fizzling out the moment the tournament got underway.

And now, history beckons.

For the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1984, India and Pakistan will meet in an Asia Cup final — and every single ticket at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is gone. Official capacity? 28,000. Actual demand? Several times that, if the frantic resale market is anything to go by.

According to reports via Geo News and ANI, the two sides drew crowds of 20,000 and 17,000 in their previous group-stage and Super Four clashes. But for the final, there are no empty seats — nor any neutral emotions.

India arrive unbeaten, sweeping through both the group stage and Super Four under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. Pakistan’s road has been bumpier, losing two of six games — both to, you guessed it, India. On form and numbers, the men in blue hold the edge. But when has logic ever applied to an Indo-Pak final?

Off the field, the subplots continue. Reports emerged of a “no-handshake” stance within the Indian camp following political tensions — a quiet protest of sorts. But as witnessed in earlier encounters, such resolutions melt quickly in the furnace of competitive spirit. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi were seen chatting and engaging with Indian players mid-match, and it would surprise no one if similar scenes unfold in the final.

The boycott failed. The rivalry did not.

The stage is set, the seats are full, and the world is watching — again.

Even before the high-voltage Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan, tensions have escalated due to an off-field incident. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined two key players from both teams for breaching the code of conduct.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav faced punishment for making political remarks, while Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was penalized for aggressive behavior. However, another accused player, Sahibzada Farhan, was let off with a warning.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, a hearing was held in Dubai regarding the complaints against the three Indian and Pakistani cricketers. After the hearing, ICC match referee Richie Richardson fined Suryakumar and Rauf 30 percent of their match fees.

The fines were imposed for incidents from two separate matches. Following India’s match against Pakistan in Dubai on September 14, Suryakumar dedicated his team’s victory to the Indian armed forces during the press conference. Since he referenced a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint against him.

On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) filed complaints against Rauf and Farhan. During the Super Four match of the Asia Cup on September 21, Rauf gestured ‘6–0’ with his fingers towards Indian fans and made a gesture mimicking the shooting down of an aircraft, which Indian social media users claimed was a mockery of their armed forces.

In the same match, after completing his fifty, Pakistani opener Farhan mimicked firing a gun using his bat.

Since the accused players did not plead guilty, a hearing took place in Dubai today. They presented their defenses, but it appears the ICC did not find the arguments from Suryakumar and Rauf satisfactory, as reflected in the verdict.

Meanwhile, ESPN Cricinfo reported that the BCCI has appealed against the fine imposed on Suryakumar for the Level One offense.

However, it is not yet confirmed whether the appeal has been heard or when it will be.

India and Pakistan will face off in the Asia Cup final tomorrow, Sunday (September 28). This will be the first time in the tournament’s history that the two teams meet in the final. It will also be their third encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Bangladesh’s campaign came to a heartbreaking end in Dubai as they fell short by 11 runs against Pakistan in what was virtually a semifinal. Chasing 136, the Tigers were bundled out for 124/9 in 20 overs despite a late fight from Shamim Hossain.

Pakistan, reduced to 49 for 5 after electing to bat, recovered through valuable lower-order cameos from Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz. Shaheen, dropped thrice, smashed a couple of sixes, while Nawaz’s 25 off 13 proved crucial. Mohammad Haris also chipped in with 31 off 23. Taskin Ahmed (3/28) and Rishad Hossain (2/18) led Bangladesh’s charge, but sloppy fielding allowed Pakistan to finish at a competitive 135/8.

Bangladesh’s chase faltered right from the start. Parvez Hossain Emon fell for a duck in the opening over, and Shahin Afridi’s fiery new-ball burst dismantled the top order. Shamim Hossain (30 off 25) kept hopes alive with a couple of sixes, but once he holed out with 39 needed off 20 balls, the contest was effectively sealed. Haris Rauf (3/33) and Shaheen (3/17) ensured Pakistan’s dominance with the ball, supported by Saim Ayub’s tidy spell (2/16).

This was Bangladesh’s chance to reach an Asia Cup final for the first time in six years, but familiar batting failures cost them dearly. Pakistan, meanwhile, sealed their berth in the title clash where they will meet arch-rivals India — the first time the two giants square off in an Asia Cup final.

Key performers:

• Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi 3/17, Haris Rauf 3/33, Mohammad Nawaz 25 (13), Mohammad Haris 31 (23)
• Bangladesh: Shamim Hossain 30 (25), Taskin Ahmed 3/28, Rishad Hossain 2/18

India have looked unstoppable in the Asia Cup so far, brushing aside opponents with authority, including a dominant performance against Pakistan. For Bangladesh, who face them next in the Super Four, settling on the right XI is proving to be a tricky call. Liton Das’s side will likely want to field their strongest combination, but at least one change appears unavoidable.

The biggest talking point is Shariful Islam’s place. The left-arm quick struggled badly in the opening Super Four game against Sri Lanka, failing to make any impact, and is expected to miss out. His likely replacement is Tanzim Hasan Sakib, whose pace and aggression could trouble India.

Sakib has a particularly impressive record against Abhishek Sharma, India’s in-form opener who often sets the platform for the rest of the batting line-up. In two T20I meetings so far, Sakib has dismissed Abhishek both times, conceding just eight runs. With seven wickets in three T20Is against India overall, Sakib seems almost certain to feature.

Bangladesh’s batting order is unlikely to see much tinkering after they successfully chased 169 in their last outing. But the spin department presents a dilemma: Rishad Hossain or Nasum Ahmed?

Rishad’s numbers against India don’t inspire confidence. In four matches, the legspinner has gone for nearly 14 an over while picking up only five wickets, two of which came against lower-order batters. Nasum, meanwhile, has never played a T20I against India, but his left-arm spin could test their right-handers. Given the need for control, the management may lean towards Nasum.

With India’s batting depth their biggest strength, Bangladesh are unlikely to sacrifice a bowler for an extra batter like Nurul Hasan or Parvez Hossain Emon. That means just one change looks likely.

Probable Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hasan, Liton Das (c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patowary, Sheikh Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

In the first Super Four match, Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh. In the second match, Pakistan lost to India. After a day’s break, the Asia Cup resumes today. Pakistan and Sri Lanka—both of whom started the Super Four with a defeat—face each other in this match.

So, if either Pakistan or Sri Lanka lose today, will it be the end of the road for them? Or, despite two consecutive losses, can they still qualify for the final? Naturally, these questions are being asked.

The answer to the first question is no, and to the second one, yes. Let’s break down the scenarios.

If Pakistan lose today…

• After losing to India and then Sri Lanka, Pakistan would have to cheer for their archrival India in tomorrow’s Bangladesh–India match to keep their final hopes alive. Because if Bangladesh win, Pakistan’s final dream will be buried.
• If Pakistan lose today, they will remain on 0 points after two matches, while Sri Lanka will move to 2 points. If Bangladesh beat India tomorrow, Bangladesh will rise to 4 points, leaving India at 2. In the last Super Four match, India will face Sri Lanka. Even if that match is abandoned, both teams will finish with 3 points each. Whoever wins will reach 4 points. Even if Pakistan beat Bangladesh in their last match, they will not be able to collect more than 2 points.
• However, if India beat Bangladesh, Pakistan can still reach the final even after losing today. In that case, Pakistan must defeat Bangladesh in their last match, and India must beat Sri Lanka. Then, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will all finish with 2 points each. The second finalist will be decided on the basis of net run rate (NRR).

If Sri Lanka lose today…

• The situation will be the opposite for Sri Lanka. If India win tomorrow against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will be knocked out. If Bangladesh win, Sri Lanka’s hopes will remain alive.
• If India beat Bangladesh, then even if Sri Lanka beat India in the last match, they won’t have more than 2 points. In that case, the final will be played between India and either Bangladesh or Pakistan.
• However, if Bangladesh defeat both India and Pakistan, then Sri Lanka can still reach the final despite losing today. In that case, if they beat India in their last match and stay ahead of India and Pakistan on net run rate, Sri Lanka could qualify for the final.

The camera zoomed in. Finally, the third umpire was convinced that the ball was caught right under the fingers. Out! Yet, the television replay showed something completely different. Even the commentary box strongly opposed the decision.

But it was of no use. Controversy erupted right at the start of the India–Pakistan clash. Did Fakhar Zaman have to walk back despite not being out? He was given caught behind, though the TV replay clearly showed that the ball had touched the grass before settling into Sanju Samson’s gloves. Did third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge make the wrong call?

It was the second delivery of the third over. Pakistan, batting first after losing the toss. Hardik Pandya with the ball, and Fakhar Zaman dismissed! Pandya now has 15 wickets against Pakistan in just eight innings. But this dismissal of Fakhar sparked a heated debate.

Fakhar was ruled caught behind by Samson. On-field umpire Gazi Sohail from Bangladesh, unsure, went upstairs to the TV umpire. But it took some time for the umpires to reach a conclusion. Did the ball really touch the ground before reaching the gloves?

Replays kept rolling—not once, but several times. The camera zoomed in. Finally, the third umpire confirmed: the ball was taken under the fingers. Out! Though the replay continued to suggest otherwise. The commentary box openly criticized the decision. Still, nothing changed.

Shock was written all over Fakhar’s face. He stood at the crease for a few seconds in disbelief, then slowly walked back to the pavilion shaking his head. He probably never imagined he’d have to return like this.

After all, it wasn’t really a mistake in his shot selection. Pandya simply outsmarted him—slowed down the pace, bowled an off-cutter, and shortened the length. The bat got a faint edge, and all that remained was for Samson to complete the catch.

But luck deserted Fakhar. Samson failed to grab the catch cleanly. Even inside the dressing room, Fakhar Zaman was fuming in frustration. After a long time opening the innings, he looked in fine rhythm—15 runs off 9 balls with three boundaries. Bat and ball were connecting sweetly. Yet, he became the victim of a poor decision.