As Pakistan gears up for the historic Asia Cup 2025 final against India in Dubai, all eyes are on the possible playing XI that captain Salman Ali Agha will field for the high-stakes clash.
The management is expected to retain a balanced combination of batters, all-rounders and pacers to counter India’s strengths.
At the top, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub are likely to open the innings with Mohammad Rizwan at number three to provide stability.
Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha are expected to anchor the middle order while Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan will add power-hitting depth along with spin support.
In the lower middle order, Mohammad Nawaz is likely to be included as a handy all-rounder, giving Pakistan the option of a left-arm spinner. For the pace attack, the trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are almost certain to feature forming a lethal fast-bowling unit.
This XI gives Pakistan a strong balance, with six frontline batters, two all-rounders, and three pacers, supported by spin options in Shadab and Nawaz. The final decision, however, will depend on the pitch conditions in Dubai and the fitness of key players.
With India having already defeated Pakistan twice earlier in the tournament, the Men in Green are determined to turn things around when it matters the most. The expected playing XI will carry the hopes of millions of fans, eager to witness history in the making.
