New Delhi: The Asia Cup final match between India and Pakistan will be screened live in more than 100 cinema halls across the country this evening, India Today has reported.
PVR INOX, the country’s largest cinema exhibitor, is said to have announced that the final match would be screened live in cinemas nationwide. Scheduled for September 28, the final will be broadcast across more than 100 screens, ‘giving fans a shared, immersive cricket experience that closely replicates the stadium atmosphere’. The initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the Asian Cricket Council and ITW Universe.
“The Asia Cup 2025 screenings have shown us how deeply cricket connects our audiences. The electrifying atmosphere during the India-Pakistan clash on 14 September was remarkable, with cinemas in some cities reaching 80-90% occupancy. Fans were cheering, clapping, and living every moment together, just like inside a stadium. Through our partnership with ITW Universe and the Asian Cricket Council, we are able to offer a live, ad-free, stadium-to-screen experience in over 100 cinemas,” Aamer Bijli, lead specialist – Innovation, Film Marketing and Digital Programming at PVR INOX, has been quoted as saying.
This year’s Asia Cup started with a boycott call by several people and organisations across India, on the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor that followed. The tournament witnessed unprecedented aggression among the players during the India-Pakistan matches, with Team India boycotting the pre-match photo session on Saturday. Indian skipper Surya Kumar Yadav was also penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for bringing up the Pahalgam issue after the first match with Pakistan.
Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was also pulled up for his aggressive behaviour during the second match between the two sides.
Despite criticism, the Indian government cleared the BCCI to proceed with the matches, emphasising that Indian teams would be allowed to compete against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments, where both countries participate under the jurisdiction of international governing bodies.
India and Pakistan are now set to meet in the Asia Cup final for the first time in the tournament’s history. The occasion is also a windfall for broadcasters, considering the two rivals are meeting as many as three times within a span of months, guaranteeing sustained viewership and heightened interest.
During the first two matches against Pakistan in this tournament, Indian players have refused to shake hands with their opponents, leading to complaints against match referee Andy Pycroft.
Pakistan also threatened to pull out of the and its group stage match against the United Arab Emirates was delayed by an hour.
India has won all its matches in Asia Cup 2025 till now, including two against Pakistan. This evening’s match promises to be a humdinger, with Pakistan expected to enter the field with all cylinders firing.