Dubai: The “house full” board went up days ahead of the clash, underscoring the scale of the occasion.

Both teams enter the decider with contrasting form but equal hunger for glory. Earlier matches in this edition of the tournament already drew massive crowds, 20,000 for the group-stage meeting on September 14 and 17,000 for the Super Four contest on September 21, according to Geo News. But the final promises to eclipse them all, with an electric atmosphere expected in Dubai.

This year’s showdown carries historic weight: since the Asia Cup’s launch in 1984, India and Pakistan have never before faced each other in a final. Adding to the intensity, India come in riding high on two commanding wins over their arch-rivals earlier in the tournament.

Pakistan, meanwhile, approach the decider as underdogs, having lost 12 of their last 15 T20Is against India. Their campaign teetered on the brink in the Super Fours before a gritty comeback victory against Bangladesh secured their place in Sunday’s finale.