So far, the two rival countries have met each other in three major tournament finals
The stage for the final showdown is set in the Asia Cup 2025, with
India and PAK all geared to take on each other for the first time in 41 years. Throughout the tournament, India has demonstrated exceptional batting and bowling prowess. The Men in Blue have also defeated PAK twice, once in the group stage and again in the Super Four stage. India is clearly the favourite to win the tourney. However, the only thing that is a bit of concern for Indian fans is India’s butterfingers, given the nation’s fielding has not been at the top of its game.
On the other hand, PAK may have had harrowing results against India, but the Men in Green proved their mettle against the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other associate nations that participated in the tourney. PAK, undoubtedly, aims for revenge, whereas India will hope to maintain its dominance against its archrival in the West.
While the heart says India, at the moment, it is simply not possible to predict the game’s outcome on the day; the result could go any way. However, we can certainly examine history, i.e., the number of major tournament finals played between the two sides – scroll down to take a look.
World Championship of Cricket, 1985
India and PAK met for their first-ever major final in 1985, 38 years after the two countries became separate nations, having gained freedom from the British Raj. The World Championship of Cricket was a one-off tournament, held merely two years after India lifted its first World Cup in 1983. Therefore, India went into the tournament as the world champion.
In the finale, batting first, PAK merely managed 179 runs in 50 overs at the expense of nine wickets. There were only two notable innings: a 48 from Captain Javed Miandad and a 35 from Imran Khan.
Among Indian bowlers, Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan rattled the PAK batting line-up by scalping two wickets each.
(Credit- The Hindu Sportstar)
In the second innings, India had an effortless victory with Ravi Shastri and Kris Srikkanth scoring 63 and 67 runs, respectively, chasing down the target in 47.1 overs.
World Twenty20, 2007
Given that the T20 format was new, nobody knew what to expect, but the ICC World Twenty20, 2007, turned out to be an absolute cracker. The tournament was all about quick hitting and pace, and both India and PAK played their parts to reach the finale.
(Credit- ANI)
Batting first, India posted a target of 157, thanks to Gambhir’s 75 and Rohit Sharma’s 30 down the pecking order. In response, PAK came close to the target with the help of Misbah-ul-Haq’s willow. However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cunning thought process saw Joginder Sharma pick PAK’s final wicket. Haq went for a scoop, but it landed in Sreesanth’s safe hands, making India the first-ever champions of the T20 World Cup.
Champions Trophy, 2017
If there’s any match that can be called embarrassing for India, it is this one – the final between India and PAK in the Champions Trophy, 2017. Batting first, PAK set a target of 338 runs that should’ve been an achievable target for the India batting line-up.
However, instead of winning, the Indian line-up could not even get close. Seven players went back to the pavilion with single-digit scores, and the only notable innings was played by Hardik Pandya, who made 76 runs off 43 balls.
(Credit- The Quint)
The PAK bowling line-up, especially Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Hafeez, ran riot against India by picking three wickets each. Ultimately, the Indian batting line-up was bowled out for merely 158 runs, losing the match by a massive 180 runs.
In major tournaments where India and PAK met in the final, India leads with two wins against PAK’s one. Will India increase the tally to three, or will PAK equalise? Sunday night will give us the answer.
