Political tensions spilled over into cricket in the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai and even though the contest is already over, India winning the tie by five wickets, both sides have continued trading barbs.

As India and Pakistan brace for a showdown in the Asia Cup 2025 today, the much-anticipated match in Dubai has already sparked political heat in India.

Rival captains Salman Agha and Suryakumar Yadav vowed to keep controlled aggression when Pakistan and India clash in the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, the countries' first match since their conflict in May.

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for agreeing to play against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup even though it refuses to play bilateral series between the teams owing to geo-political tensions between the neighbouring countries.

New Delhi courting Afghanistan's Taliban while Islamabad befriends the new leaders of post-revolutionary Bangladesh

"What can we do?" said Ahmad. "Many here have died without meeting, only in hope of meeting."

All eyes may be on Virat Kohli, who joined up with the squad late last week and scored one run as he opened the batting against Ireland on Wednesday. But Rohit told a press conference that he is expecting all of his players to make a contribution on Sunday as they seek to continue their winning start to the tournament.

India could not always afford to ignore Pakistan, which was long a source of terrorism directed at India.

Organisers of June's T20 Cricket World Cup games in the United States say that early ticket sales have shown there is a huge demand for the sport among cricket lovers in the country.

Quite a few of the hospitals have seen a sudden influx of patients booked in for check-ups involving a night's stay to coincide with the most anticipated match of the World Cup.

Let’s take a look at their five most recent encounters across all formats

India and Pakistan do not meet each other outside multi-nation tournaments and when they meet in a tournament as big as the Asia Cup, cricket fans around the world have their eyes glued to such fixtures. Officiating such fixtures that feature stars to light up any occasion and doing so without any controversy is a rare thing. Bangladesh’s Masudur Rahman did just that during this Asia Cup. He talked to The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi on representing Bangladesh in such big matches and about other things. Excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Authorities in Indian Kashmir tighten restrictions on people's movements to prevent possible protests triggered by a speech by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

India's crackdown on protests and dissent in Kashmir will drive more of the world's Muslims into extremism, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says during a fiery speech in the part of the disputed territory administered by Pakistan.

Key US Senators and Congressmen are now urging President Donald Trump to play a constructive role in helping resolve Kashmir and other underlying disputes between India and Pakistan.

India asks Pakistan to “recognize the futility of unilateral actions” a day after Islamabad denied permission to allow an Air India special flight carrying Indian President Ram Nath Kovind overflying Pakistani airspace on way to Europe next week.

Pakistan has signalled a willingness to open peace talks with India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies.

Pakistan handed a captured Indian pilot back to his country yesterday as the nuclear-armed neighbours appeared to scale back a confrontation that has prompted world powers to urge restraint.

The Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force will hold a joint press conference at 5:00pm amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan ever since the 14 February Pulwama terror attack and the subsequent IAF strike against a terrorist training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) across the LoC.

Several airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, suspend flights to Pakistan after the South Asian nation closes its air space following heightened tensions with neighbouring India.