Surprising fact: Two champion teams have never faced each other in Asia Cup final in 41 years

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and with the tournament just days away, teams are finalizing their squads. India and Pakistan have already announced their line-ups, with several high-profile players missing from both sides. The early squad announcements have sparked discussions among fans and analysts about team balance and strategies ahead of the continental showdown.

An unusual aspect of Asia Cup history adds extra attraction to this edition. Despite being fierce rivals in world cricket, India and Pakistan have never faced each other in an Asia Cup final. In the 41-year history of the tournament, spanning 16 finals, the arch-rivals have yet to meet in the summit clash for the first time so far.

The Asia Cup, first held in 1984, has seen India reach the final a record 11 times, facing Sri Lanka on nine occasions and Bangladesh twice, but never Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, has made it to five finals, encountering Sri Lanka four times and Bangladesh once.

Overall, India and Pakistan have met 18 times in Asia Cup matches across ODI and T20 formats. India has won 10 of these clashes, Pakistan six, and two matches ended in a draw. Their most recent encounter came in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India, led by Rohit Sharma, achieved a historic 228-run victory over Pakistan, the fourth-largest winning margin by runs in Asia Cup history.

For the 2025 edition, the eight teams have been split into two groups and the tournament will be played in T20 format, as a preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Group A features India, Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

India will begin their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, while the highly anticipated clash between the arch-rivals is set to be held on September 14 in Dubai. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, where they will play each other once under the same system. The top two sides from the Super Four will then meet in the final, set for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.