The Asia Cup 2025 has been an exciting affair, featuring weeks of high-quality cricket from eight competitive teams. After a series of intense battles
in the group and Super Four stages, India and Pakistan set up a blockbuster final, on Sunday, September 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, reigniting one of cricket’s greatest rivalries. India became the first team to qualify for the summit clash after comfortably defeating Bangladesh in the Super Four. Pakistan, on the other hand, booked their spot with a gritty do-or-die win against the same opposition.
India’s journey to the final was dominant, as they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. They not only defeated Pakistan once in the group stage but also got the better of them again in the Super Four, showcasing their supremacy. Pakistan’s campaign, however, was mixed. While they lost twice against India, they showed strong resilience by winning their other games to stay in contention for the final.
This Asia Cup final carries extra weight because India and Pakistan have never faced each other in an Asia Cup title clash before. Historically, India has been the most successful team in the tournament with eight titles, while Pakistan has lifted the trophy twice. The last time the two arch-rivals clashed in a multi-nation final was back in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
In that iconic 2017 final at The Oval, India won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that backfired. Pakistan, riding on Fakhar Zaman’s scintillating century (114 off 106 balls), piled up 338 for 4. Azhar Ali (59) and Mohammad Hafeez’s (unbeaten 57) also added crucial runs to set a daunting target.
India’s chase never really took off, with the top order dismantled by Mohammad Amir’s fiery opening spell, where he dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan. Hardik Pandya offered brief resistance with a blistering 76 off 43 balls, but India ultimately crumbled for 158 as Pakistan won by a massive 180 runs, securing their maiden Champions Trophy in emphatic fashion.
The result still stands as one of Pakistan’s greatest triumphs over India in an ICC final, adding even more spice to their long-awaited meeting in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
