Pakistan will face India in the first-ever Asia Cup final, a clash heightened by off-field drama, board complaints, and provocative gestures. Coach Mike Hesson has urged his players to “just focus on cricket” ahead of the high-stakes showdown.

Sunil Gavaskar accused Pakistan of holding the Asia Cup group stage match against UAE hostage and harshly criticised them.

Earlier this week, Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi declared that the Green Shirts would reach the Asia Cup final and could beat India if the arch-rivals clashed again.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly filed an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) concerning Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, following controversial on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours clash in Dubai last Sunday.

Pakistan boost their hopes of reaching the Asia Cup final by edging to a five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, Kamindu Mendis scored a hard-fought 50 to take a wobbly Sri Lanka to 133/8. Shaheen Afridi (3/28) and Hussain Talat (2/18) struck twice each to leave Sri Lanka tottering at 80/6 at one stage,