India vs Pakistan: U19 Asia Cup 2025 final becomes battle for regional supremacy

The Indo-Pak cricketing rivalry transcends sport. While the action unfolds between the 22 yards, it captures the imagination of people across borders and permeates all walks of life with its glorious history.

Though the heightened political discord between the countries has reduced the frequency of their meetings, it has added more intrigue to the clash. Interestingly, it's the ACC events (Senior men's Asia Cup, Rising Stars tournament and the U19 Asia Cup) that have brought the two rivals together for a contest.

The ACC U19 Asia Cup final at the ICC Academy in Dubai on December 21 will be nothing different. Both teams were placed in Group A and have already crossed paths once, with India taking the honours by 90 runs.

India enter the high-voltage clash as the favourites as they seem to have the wood over Pakistan. While the Rising Stars tournament in Qatar was an aberration, India have beaten Pakistan in every other recent meeting across levels.

The Ayush Mhatre-led side is on a rampage, having decimated every opponent that ran into them. India look balanced and have several players in their line-up who are already millionaires thanks to the IPL.

While Pakistan also have several promising stars in their line-up, they still need more exposure to match their Indian counterparts. As has been the tradition, Pakistan's pace battery looks well-oiled with the presence of Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam and the joint-leading wicket-taker of the tournament, Abdul Subhan (12 wickets).

Pakistan batters need to pull their socks and throw the gauntlet so that the final lives up to the riveting rivalry between India and Pakistan. The onus will be on their opener, Sameer Minhas, who has already scored 299 at an average of 149.50.

The winner of the contest will not only bag the bragging rights in Asia but will also gain a psychological boost moving into the ICC Men's U19 World Cup.