The BRICS TimesIn the title clash against Pakistan, the role of pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be decisive. Bumrah was rested in the match against Sri Lanka. Earlier, he was also left out of the group-stage match against Oman.
India and Pakistan Set for High-Stakes Asia Cup 2025 Final
The Asia Cup 2025 final will take place today, September 28, with India facing arch-rivals Pakistan. The grand showdown is scheduled at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, starting 8 PM IST. This will be the third meeting of the two teams in the current tournament.
India had crushed Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage. Later, Surya’s brigade produced another dominant six-wicket victory in the Super Four. Riding on this confidence, Team India will again aim to outclass Pakistan under the Dubai lights.
Focus on Playing XI and Predicted Changes
Cricket fans eagerly await the confirmed playing XI of both sides. The final combinations will be revealed after the toss. However, India is expected to make two key changes. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Shivam Dube are likely to feature in the final XI.
Bumrah and Dube had missed the clash against Sri Lanka, where Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh replaced them. With their return, Harshit and Arshdeep may step out of the playing XI. On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya are fit and ready despite minor cramps in the last game.
India is set to field four specialist batters, one wicketkeeper, two batting all-rounders, one spin-bowling all-rounder, two frontline spinners, and one fast-bowling spearhead. Pakistan, meanwhile, is expected to stick to the winning combination from their match against Bangladesh. No changes are anticipated in their lineup.
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Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav Hold the Key
India remains unbeaten in this Asia Cup edition and has shown complete dominance. Abhishek Sharma has emerged as India’s biggest batting weapon, scoring 309 runs at a strike rate of 204.63. In bowling, Kuldeep Yadav has been India’s trump card, claiming 13 wickets with an economy rate of 6.04. India’s main worry, however, lies in the inconsistent middle order.
Pakistan’s batting lineup looks fragile, with Sahibzada Farhan the only one showing some rhythm. Sam Ayub has failed badly with four ducks, but Pakistan will hope for his redemption in the final. Pakistan’s real strength remains in their fast bowling. The opening spell from Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf could shape the match. If Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill survive this challenge, India’s path to victory will become easier.
Predicted Playing XIs for India and Pakistan
India’s Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan’s Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Sam Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.
