India and Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025: A Tournament Marred by Controversy

India is set to clash with Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, entering the match with an undefeated streak. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team will face their rivals, Pakistan, in what promises to be a highly anticipated match. India has demonstrated dominance, having already won two matches in the tournament, while Pakistan’s performance has been less successful. The initial point of contention arose after the group-stage match on September 14, when Indian players did not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, a move that reportedly upset the Pakistani team. The Pakistani captain, Salman Agha, avoided the post-match presentation, with coach Mike Hesson taking over media responsibilities. Furthermore, Pakistan’s request to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from their subsequent game against the UAE was rejected by the ICC. In the second encounter on September 21, India secured another victory with a six-wicket win. The post-match handshake issue resurfaced, intensifying the controversy, alongside heated on-field exchanges. India lodged complaints against Sahibzada Farhan for his actions after completing a half-century and against Haris Rauf for unsportsmanlike conduct. Following these incidents, the match authorities fined Haris Rauf 30% of his match fee and issued a warning to Farhan. Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30% of his match fee due to comments made on September 14. The drama continued on September 27, a day before the final, when India declined to participate in the official photoshoot with Pakistan, adding further fuel to the rivalry and setting the stage for a heated final. With India having already secured two wins against Pakistan in the tournament, they aim for another victory, while Pakistan is determined to address the issues both on and off the field.