Who will win the historic final, India or Pakistan?

The final of the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, which combines ODI and T20 formats, is tomorrow. Two arch-rivals; India and Pakistan are facing each other in this historic final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

In the Asia Cup that started in 1984; these two teams have played in the final several times in the past, but they have never faced each other. This is the first time in the history of the Asia Cup that two arch-rivals are meeting in the final.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has benefited from India-Pakistan reaching the final. The ACC will increase its revenue if the two arch-rivals reach the final. Because the India-Pakistan match means increased interest from advertisers and broadcasters; a golden opportunity to earn more money.

At one time, the India-Pakistan match meant excitement and thrill. But Pakistan has failed to perform as expected against India in the last two decades. That is why the excitement between the two neighbors can no longer be measured in the match.

In this edition of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan met twice before reaching the final. India won both matches by dominating the match. Pakistan could not get a single win against Team India in both matches. In the group stage and the Super Four in a span of 8 days, Pakistan could not fight India in that way.

Not only that! India has played cricket with strength by participating in 6 matches since the beginning of the tournament. Asian Test-playing teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan could not defeat them.

On the other hand, Pakistan has been in a shaky position since the beginning of the current Asia Cup. Despite losing to India in the group stage, they reached the Super Four by defeating less powerful Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan was in danger of being eliminated before the final after losing to India in the Super Four as well. Pakistan, who had dreamed of reaching the final by winning against Sri Lanka; could not score more than 135 runs due to a complete batting failure against Bangladesh in the unannounced 'semi-final'. Even with such a low score; Pakistan enters the finals 'with a bang' due to the failure of the Tiger batsmen.

Tomorrow, Pakistan will face India, the superpower of cricket, in the final. With the way India is flying in the tournament, will Pakistan be able to rein in Team India? This is what is being analyzed in detail.

Who will win this historic final is a storm in the teacup. Starting from cricket analysts; even the uninitiated viewers of cricket are busy discussing and criticizing the India-Pakistan final.

However, some say that since Pakistan has lost to India twice before the final, and there have been incidents like the handshake controversy, Pakistan can convert these stubbornness into strength in the final. If this is an exception, Pakistan's defeat is inevitable. Because India is ahead of Pakistan in the past equation.

India and Pakistan have faced each other in the short format of T20 in the past 15 matches. Of these, India won 12 matches exclusively. Pakistan won only 3 matches. And in the Asia Cup, the two teams have faced each other in 21 matches so far. India won 12 of those past meetings. Pakistan won only 6 matches. There were no results in the other three matches.

Pakistan's biggest success against India in recent times came in 2017. Pakistan won the title by defeating India in the final of the Champions Trophy. After seven years, Pakistan is on the verge of winning another title against India. Only time will tell who will win tomorrow's final?

However, considering the equation, strength, team combination and recent performance, India is a few steps ahead of Pakistan. The title is tilted towards Team India. However, it is said that 'goal ball' cricket! Here, many times 'equation-tomiization' is of no use. Those who can bring out their best on a given day, will have a smile on their faces at the end of the day.