Follow UsGoing into the Asia Cup 2025, there were calls for India to boycott their matches against Pakistan due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries. As a result, the tickets for the group stage and the Super Fours were not sold out.
However, that is not the case for the final between the arch-rivals in Dubai, where the tickets have been sold out and we can expect a full house on September 28 (Sunday), according to a report on Hindustan Times.
The group stage saw just 20,000 fans in the stadium, while the Super Four fixture witnessed just 17,000 spectators. The attendance for the final too was expected to be low, but surprisingly, all 28,000 seats were sold out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India have had the upper hand over Pakistan in the Asia Cup so far, having beaten them in convincing fashion in both matches. However, there have been plenty of controversies.
India have refused the shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, leading to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) writing to the ICC as they believe that India had violated the spirit of cricket. They also called for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft for allegedly telling the captains not to shake hands at the toss.
In the next game, Pakistan players made some controversial gestures, and the BCCI complained to the ICC. While Rauf was fined, Sahibzada Farhan was let go with a warning for his 'gun' celebration. India captain Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, was fined 30% of his match fee for bringing up the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor in his post-match comments, as it was considered political.
This will be the first Asia Cup final between the two countries since its inception.