Dubai, September 28, 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has delivered a bold pep talk to the national squad on the eve of the Asia Cup 2025 final, urging them to play without fear as they prepare to face arch-rivals India in Dubai.
Naqvi assured the players that he would shoulder the pressure, telling them to focus solely on giving their best performance. “Play fearless cricket — I’ll handle everything else,” he told the team in a bid to lift morale and free them from external distractions before the high-stakes clash.
This evening’s match marks the third consecutive Sunday that India and Pakistan will lock horns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, unlike the earlier encounters, this showdown carries historic weight: it is the first time in the Asia Cup’s 41-year history that the two sides are meeting in a tournament final.
Head coach Mike Hesson also addressed the squad, praising their resilience throughout the competition. “We may not have been perfect, but our effort and determination have been remarkable,” he said. “I promise you — we will never give up.”
Hesson underscored the significance of the occasion, reminding players that fans worldwide have waited decades for this final. “It has taken 41 years for India and Pakistan to meet in an Asia Cup title match. Today’s contest will be unforgettable.”
The fierce rivalry between the two cricketing giants has always drawn global attention, but with history on the line, tonight’s final is set to be one of the most anticipated matches the sport has ever witnessed.
