DUBAI – India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in a thrilling Asia Cup final, thanks to a brilliant innings from Tilak Varma.
The final, played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, once again saw India winning the toss, just as in the previous two encounters. After the toss, an unusual moment occurred when players refrained from shaking hands, and instead, the Pakistani captain was interviewed by a Pakistani commentator while Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav spoke to an Indian commentator.
Pakistan’s Innings
Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a flying start, adding 84 runs for the opening stand. Farhan scored a fine 57 before falling, but the rest of the batting line collapsed like a house of cards. Pakistan lost all 10 wickets for just 62 more runs, finishing at 146 in 19.1 overs. Fakhar made 46, while Saim Ayub (14), Salman Ali Agha (8), and Mohammad Nawaz (6) were the only others to reach double figures. Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel grabbed 2 wickets each.
India’s Chase
India’s chase began shakily as Faheem Ashraf dismissed Abhishek Sharma for 5, and Shaheen Afridi removed captain Suryakumar Yadav early. Shubman Gill also fell cheaply, leaving India under pressure at 3 wickets down inside the powerplay. Despite Pakistan’s early breakthroughs, Tilak Varma anchored the innings with a match-winning 69.
Sanju Samson contributed 24 before being dismissed by Abrar, while Shivam Dube added a vital 33. India kept the scoreboard ticking and eventually reached the 147-run target in the final over, sealing the Asia Cup title with 5 wickets in hand.
Pakistan made no changes to their squad, with the playing XI featuring: Captain Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
India suffered a setback as all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the final due to injury, with Rinku Singh replacing him in the playing XI.
In the Asia Cup 2025, India has beaten Pakistan in both previous encounters, but Pakistan has defeated every other Asian team. Historically, in multi-nation tournament finals, Pakistan leads India with 3 wins to India’s 2 in their five final meetings.
