Sat Sep 27 19:10:58 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan has been marred by off-field controversies, including disciplinary hearings for players over politically charged statements and gestures. Former player Ramiz Raja urges everyone involved to focus on the cricket itself and lower the temperature of the rivalry. He believes the ICC’s actions have helped redefine the rules of engagement for the final. While acknowledging the political undercurrents that fuel the intensity of the India-Pakistan clash, Raja hopes the focus will return to the sport and the players on Sunday.

**News Article:**

**Asia Cup Final: Raja Urges Sanity as India and Pakistan Clash Amidst Off-Field Drama**

**Dubai, UAE** – As India and Pakistan prepare to face off in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, former player and administrator Ramiz Raja has called for a focus on the cricket itself, urging players, fans, and officials to exercise restraint after a week of off-field controversies.

The build-up to the highly anticipated match has been overshadowed by disciplinary hearings conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following complaints from both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The issues stemmed from allegedly politically charged statements made by India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav and gestures by Pakistani players Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf during previous encounters.

According to sources, Yadav and Rauf were fined 30% of their match fees, while Farhan received a warning. The ICC has yet to officially confirm the sanctions.

“The temperature must be lowered and all eyes should be on the game of cricket,” Raja told Al Jazeera. “It is not only the responsibility of the cricket boards and players but also the fans, stakeholders, and social media commentators to demonstrate astuteness because the emotions are still raw. Everyone needs a moment of sanity.”

The match marks the first-ever India vs. Pakistan final in the Asia Cup’s 31-year history. Raja emphasized the need to separate politics from the sport, stating, “It [mixing politics with sport] takes away the innocence of cricketers, as they are not geared to engage in political rhetoric.”

With the off-field issues seemingly addressed, Raja hopes the attention will now shift to the action on the pitch, where India will look to continue their unbeaten run in the tournament against a Pakistan side eager to break their recent losing streak against their arch-rivals.

“The debate should be whether Pakistan will lift their game [in the final] or if it will be a third-time malfunction [against India],” Raja concluded, highlighting the sporting significance of the contest.

The world will be watching as these two cricket powerhouses collide in what promises to be a gripping final, hoping that the focus remains firmly on the game and the spirit of sportsmanship.

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