🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025: Match 19 - Final: India vs Pakistan @Dubai🏏 - Page 3

Salman Agha backs up Haris Rauf, supports his on-field behaviour???

While there was plenty of criticism for how Rauf taunted Indian players and fans through the previous contest, based on how he took it beyond something on the cricket field, he still had the backing of his team captain. Speaking before the final, Salman Agha was ten toes down behind his fast bowler, saying such aggression makes him who he is.

“If you deprive a fast bowler of their aggression, then what's left? Every player knows how to deal with their emotions. I give players license to react the way they want at the ground. As long as they're not disrespecting anyone and stay within the line, I have no issues with that,” said Agha.

If Rauf stayed within the line — that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

India's control via spin is what will set them apart

As has been the case throughout the tournament, the control and threat that India's spinners can provide is what elevates them to the top. Kuldeep Yadav is the main man, and has been nothing short of sensational, as we have explored – but he also has the support of Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy. Neither of these bowlers have been at their true best with ball in hand, but they have still chipped in with wickets, and maintain their greatest strength: they don't bowl too many loose ones, which means that as they operate through the middle, they can apply immense amounts of pressure as batters feel themselves getting stuck. This is nothing new for India, but it is something that has taken a life of its own on the UAE's pitches.

Aggressive powerplay batting can put India under the pump

Another minor issue, one exposed by the likes of Fakhar Zaman but most by Pathum Nissanka, is how they can seem a little one-dimensional and short on ideas if batters attack them in the powerplay. Pakistan will have to find the balance between risk and success, but attacking through the powerplay is a must with bat in hand.

Chak de chak de India

Go for the win India!!!!

A billion prayers with you

Thanks for the tag and thread. I wont be active today as m most probably wont watch this match. Lets see, go India win the finale.

Suryakamar's form in this entire tournament is a big matter of concern for India.

As long we keep winning, it didn't come to notice that much.

But aaj final hai. To Gill, surya, hardik ko achha khelana hi hoga.

ALL THE VERY BEST TEAM INDIA💙💓❤️💙

How times have changed from the late 80s and the 90s. Back then a generation was forever scarred by Javed Miandad's last ball six off Chetan Sharma at Sharjah. Pakistan used to dominate India and any win for the latter seemed like an upset. True - Pakistan had a fine team back then and India just couldn't manage to break the mental barrier they had. Fast forward to current times and it's just the opposite. It's India who are the dominant force with a fantastic team while Pakistan search for answers. The recent head-to-head has been heavily stacked in favor of India and that's why they go into this final as firm favorites.

Pratyush is on player watch now: Rinku Singh is the first Indian player on the ground. But unlike other days, he's not warming up with jogs along with other potential non-playing members of the squad. He walks out of the dressing room with a bat in hand, bows before he crosses the ad cushions on the boundary, has a look at the pitch and then takes a few throwdowns in the outfield. Not his usual warm-up routine. Whatever that means.

Pratyush adds: The match will be played on the same centre pitch that was used for the last two India-Pakistan fixtures. It's a pretty hot day again, so they left the covers on until about two hours to toss time. Since then, the twice-used pitch in this tournament has seen plenty of rolling. Expect it to play well again for the first 10 overs or so. Varun Chakaravarthy had mentioned how it slows down significantly in the second innings.

All the best team India