37 Years On: Rivals Clash Hot
Pak’s 11-Run Win Against Bangladesh Fuels Final Fever
Dubai: From snubs to sixes, the Indo-Pak drama now peaks! A billion hearts pound as Dubai’s Dubai International Stadium braces for the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, September 28—India versus Pakistan, their first final clash in 41 years. This isn’t cricket. It’s a firestorm of pride and passion. Every six is a roar. Every snub is a spark. India, unbeaten, stormed into the final with a commanding win over Bangladesh. Pakistan scraped through, their 11-run thriller over Bangladesh in Dubai, earning their shot today. It’s their third duel this tournament, a final fueled by fierce cricket and controversies that have fans buzzing, tempers flaring.
This Asia Cup is a cauldron of drama. Picture the final unfolding. Will Pakistan’s players keep taunting? Haris Rauf’s “6-0” gesture to Indian fans sparked fury before. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s glares fired up Abhishek Sharma. They could double down, using that edge to snap India’s seven-match streak since 2022. Or will ICC scrutiny cool them? Suryakumar Yadav stood firm on skipping handshakes, ignoring Pakistan’s complaints. With the world watching, will he soften? A handshake at the toss could stun the crowd, easing tensions. Or he stays icy, keeping the rivalry red-hot. The pitch swings early, spins late. Jasprit Bumrah’s pace could strike. Shaheen’s swing might bite back. Abhishek’s sixes could soar. The crowd roars. Gestures flash. Tempers flare. The final could explode. Adrenaline surges. The subcontinent pulses.
The drama started early. In the group-stage clash on September 14, India’s seven-wicket win was fierce. Suryakumar and his team snubbed handshakes with Salman Agha’s squad, shaking only the umpires’ hands. Pakistan, stunned, filed an ICC complaint. It didn’t change a thing. The Super Four clash on September 21 was hotter. India’s six-wicket rout saw another snub. Suryakumar strode past Agha, sparking another complaint, waved off as “team conduct.” The field crackled. Abhishek and Shaheen traded words after a first-ball six. Abhishek said Pakistan’s “wild taunts” lit his fire, much like their gritty win over Bangladesh kept them alive. Rauf’s “6-0” taunt drew boos and online rage. Pakistan’s drama grew. They skipped two pre-match pressers, risking fines. Fans on X slammed the PCB for resting Babar Azam, leaving Agha scrambling. Gautam Gambhir’s “Umpires se toh mile” quip went viral. Monty Panesar called the chaos “a circus.”
Pakistan’s path was a fight. Their Super Four match against Bangladesh in Dubai was a tense scrap. The pitch was sticky. Dew slicked the ball. Nerves ran high. Bangladesh’s captain Jaker Ali, in for injured Litton Das, chose to bowl, eyeing a chase. Pakistan stumbled to 135/8 in 20 overs. Their powerplay limped to 40/2. Sahibzada Farhan fell for 4, caught off Taskin Ahmed’s outswinger. Saim Ayub got a duck, his fourth in six games, caught by Rishad Hossain off the bowling of Mahedi Hasan. Fakhar Zaman’s 13 off 20 dragged on. Mohammad Haris’s 31 off 23, with three fours and a six, kept hope. Late hits from Mohammad Nawaz—25 off 15, two sixes—and Shaheen Shah Afridi—19 off 13, two sixes—added fire, plus 12 extras. Taskin’s 3/28 and Rishad’s 2/18 crushed Pakistan’s middle, leaving them 49/5. Nawaz’s six off Mustafizur sent fans roaring.
Bangladesh’s chase had heart. Saif Hassan fought for 18 off 15. Shamim Hossain top scored with 30 off 25, his six off Abrar Ahmed a spark. But Pakistan’s bowlers pounced. Shaheen got Towhid Hridoy for 5, his overall 3/17 and Rauf’s 3/33 at one stage leaving Bangladesh at 29/3 after 5.1 overs. Saim Ayub grabbed 2/16. Abrar’s 0/23 choked the middle. Bangladesh, 63/5 after 11.4 overs, fell to 124/9. Taskin’s unbeaten 4 was their last stand. Rauf’s final-over yorker sent fans wild, carrying Pakistan to the finals.
Dubai International Stadium is a tinderbox. Tickets are gone. Fans are packed in. Suryakumar’s “not a rivalry anymore” taunt meets Shaheen’s “fight to the last ball” vow. Pakistan, stung by two India losses, draws heart from their Bangladesh win. India, chasing another title, trusts their batting and Bumrah’s fiery comeback. On a Zayed pitch that swings and spins, this is a nation’s pulse. It’s a snub’s sting. Will a handshake cool the fire? Or will it blaze on? The subcontinent waits, breathless.
– global bihari bureau
