No more boycott calls in India as over 100 cinemas to show Asia Cup 2025 final

Pakistan and India will face each other in the Asia Cup 2025 final today, the first time the two arch-rivals have ever contested the tournament’s title clash. The decider will also be their third consecutive Sunday encounter, following earlier clashes in the group stage and the Super Four.

Adding to the anticipation, the final will be broadcast live in cinemas across India in contrast to calls of boycott ahead of their first clash.

PVR INOX, the country’s largest multiplex chain, confirmed that the match will be shown on more than 100 screens nationwide through a collaboration with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and ITW Universe.

“The Asia Cup 2025 screenings have demonstrated how powerfully cricket unites audiences,” said Aamer Bijli, Lead Specialist for Innovation, Film Marketing and Digital Programming at PVR INOX, in remarks to India Today.

“The energy during the India-Pakistan clash on September 14 was extraordinary, with occupancy in several cities reaching 80 to 90 percent. Fans clapped, cheered and celebrated every ball together as though they were in a stadium. Thanks to our partnership with ITW Universe and the ACC, we are able to deliver this ad-free, stadium-to-screen experience to fans in more than 100 cinemas,” he added.

The decision underscores how dramatically the tournament’s atmosphere has shifted over the past three weeks.

Prior to the Asia Cup, political tension sparked calls from sections of the public to boycott matches between India and Pakistan. Despite these appeals, the competition has instead produced an unprecedented spectacle, three high-voltage contests between the two sides in just 14 days.