Table of Contents
Introduction
The two teams line-up for the national anthem. First it is Pakistan’s followed by India’s. “The stands are almost full, except the one stand that I am told is for free passes” – pings Pratyush. Seems like both sides got what they wanted at the toss. Pakistan generally prefers to bat first these days, and that’s how they won the tri-series final against Afghanistan early this month. India love to chase. But what about their combination? Hardik’s injury is a major concern because it has completely tilted the balance. Dube has been given the responsibility of opening the bowling. This is his first time bowling with the new ball, and he is doing it on the biggest stage. Everyone are ready. Farhan is on strike
Venue
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Match:IND vs PAK, Final, Asia Cup 2025
Date:Sunday, September 28, 2025
Toss:India won the toss and opt to bowl
Teams Squad
India Squad
Playing
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan Squad
Playing
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan’s Innings: A Rollercoaster Start to Finish
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Smart move? Well, it started brilliantly.
The opening partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put on a solid 84-run stand. I remember thinking, “Okay, Pakistan’s cooking here.” Farhan looked absolutely comfortable, smashing his way to 57 off just 38 balls. Fakhar contributed a steady 46 off 35.
Then the wheels came off.
India’s bowling attack absolutely demolished Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Kuldeep Yadav was the star destroyer, picking up 4 wickets for just 30 runs. His variations were unplayable – the wrong’un, the googly, everything in his arsenal came out perfectly.
Axar Patel chipped in with 2 wickets for 26 runs, keeping things tight from the other end.
Pakistan’s final score: 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
Pakistan Inning Scorecard
India’s Chase: Drama Until The Very End
I’m not going to lie – India’s chase gave me more anxiety than it should have.
Early disaster strikes: India stumbled to 20/3, losing three quick wickets. Pakistan’s bowlers came out firing, and suddenly that 147 target looked massive. Shaheen Afridi was breathing fire, Haris Rauf was generating serious pace, and the pressure was mounting with every dot ball.
Enter Tilak Varma
This is where the match turned into a Tilak Varma masterclass. The young man walked in with his team in trouble and just refused to panic. His innings was pure class – 69 runs off 53 balls, completely unbeaten.
What made Tilak’s knock special:
- Composure under pressure – Never looked rattled despite early wickets
- Smart shot selection – Picked his moments to attack
- Power hitting – 4 massive sixes and 3 crisp boundaries
- Match awareness – Knew exactly what the situation demanded
Shivam Dube provided crucial support, and together they steadied the ship. But even with Tilak at the crease, the match went right down to the wire.
Final result: India 150/5 in 19.4 overs – winning by 5 wickets with just 2 balls remaining
India Inning Scorecard
It is where the match turned into a masterclass for Tilak Varma. The young man walked in with his team in trouble and just refused to panic. His innings was pure class – 69 runs off 53 balls, completely unbeaten.
The Controversy: Because It Wouldn’t Be India-Pakistan Without Drama
No India-Pakistan match is complete without some controversy, right? This final had its share of heated moments:
- Umpiring decisions that had both dugouts animated
- On-field confrontations between players during tense moments
- Social media exploding with debates about specific calls
But honestly? That’s just the spice that makes this rivalry what it is. The intensity, the passion, the absolute refusal to give an inch – that’s what we tune in for.
The Controversy: Because It Wouldn’t Be India-Pakistan Without Drama
No India-Pakistan match is complete without some controversy, right? This final had its share of heated moments:
- Umpiring decisions that had both dugouts animated
- On-field confrontations between players during tense moments
- Social media exploding with debates about specific calls
But honestly? That’s just the spice that makes this rivalry what it is. The intensity, the passion, the absolute refusal to give an inch – that’s what we tune in for.
Key Performers: The Heroes of Dubai
For India:
- Tilak Varma (Player of the Match) – 69* (53) – The match-winner who kept his cool when it mattered most
- Kuldeep Yadav – 4/30 (4 overs) – Demolished Pakistan’s middle order with his spin wizardry
- Axar Patel – 2/26 (4 overs) – Economical and effective
For Pakistan:
- Sahibzada Farhan – 57 (38) – Gave Pakistan a flying start
- Fakhar Zaman – 46 (35) – Solid contribution at the top
- Shaheen Afridi – Early wickets that made India sweat
Tournament Stats: The Numbers Behind the Trophy
Abhishek Sharma had an absolutely monster tournament:
- Top scorer of the Asia Cup 2025
- Most sixes – 19 maximums throughout the competition
- Consistently aggressive at the top of the order
Kuldeep Yadav proved why he’s India’s premier spinner:
- Highest wicket-taker in the tournament
- Crucial breakthroughs in every match
- That 4-wicket haul in the final sealed the deal
What This Win Means: India’s Ninth Asia Cup Title
With this victory, India secured their ninth Asia Cup title, extending their own record as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. They’ve now:
- Won 9 out of 16 editions
- Maintained dominance across different formats (ODI and T20)
- Proven their depth with young players stepping up in pressure situations
The Bigger Picture: Why This Match Matters
For Cricket Fans Globally
This wasn’t just about two teams fighting for a trophy. The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final represented:
- The culmination of 40 years of near-misses and almosts
- A new generation of players creating their own legendary moments
- Proof that cricket’s greatest rivalry still delivers unforgettable drama
For Both Teams Moving Forward
India’s takeaways:
- Young players like Tilak Varma can handle immense pressure
- The bowling attack is world-class across all conditions
- Team depth is genuine, not just on paper
Pakistan’s learnings:
- Can compete with the best when opening partnerships click
- Middle-order collapse remains a concern
- Need more death-overs batting firepower
The Atmosphere: What It Felt Like
I’ve watched a lot of cricket, but the energy around this match was something else. Social media was going absolutely bonkers:
- Twitter trending with multiple cricket hashtags worldwide
- Living rooms packed with friends and family across South Asia
- Street parties erupting in India after that final boundary
- Respectful acknowledgment from Pakistan fans despite the heartbreak
The Dubai stadium was electric – a sea of blue and green, chants echoing from both sets of fans, and that collective intake of breath on every delivery in the final overs.
Historical Context: India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup
Looking at their overall Asia Cup record, India has won 13 meetings against Pakistan’s seven victories in the tournament’s history. But this final? This one will be remembered differently.
Previous close encounters:
- The 2023 Super Four match that went down to the wire
- Multiple group stage thrillers over the years
- That unforgettable 2016 T20 match (different tournament, but the tension was similar)
What’s Next: The Road Ahead
With the World Cup coming up, both teams will take valuable lessons from this Asia Cup campaign:
For India:
- Confidence is sky-high after remaining unbeaten
- Young players have proven their mettle
- Combination looks settled across batting and bowling
For Pakistan:
- Need to address middle-order batting fragility
- Opening combination of Farhan and Fakhar shows promise
- Bowling attack remains competitive
My Take: Why This Match Will Be Remembered
I’ve been following cricket for years, and I can tell you – matches like this India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final don’t come around often. It had everything:
✓ Historic significance – First-ever final between these rivals in Asia Cup ✓ High stakes – Trophy on the line, national pride at stake ✓ Individual brilliance – Tilak’s heroics, Kuldeep’s spell ✓ Team effort – Different players stepping up at crucial moments ✓ Drama till the end – Chase going down to the final over ✓ Quality cricket – Despite pressure, both teams played smart
The Bottom Line
The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final delivered on every promise and then some. After 40 years of waiting, we got a final that justified the hype. India lifted their ninth title, Tilak Varma announced himself on the biggest stage, and cricket fans worldwide got to witness something genuinely special.
Was it the greatest Asia Cup final ever? That’s subjective. But it was definitely the most anticipated, and it lived up to every bit of expectation. Whether you’re Team India celebrating or Team Pakistan nursing heartbreak, we can all agree – we’re lucky to have witnessed this historic chapter in cricket’s greatest rivalry.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another 40 years for the next India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final.