The 2025 Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 28 September 2025 was one of the most eagerly anticipated encounters in recent cricket history. Fans from both nations were treated to a nail-biting clash, filled with brilliant batting, incisive bowling, and dramatic twists. This historic final marked the first-ever Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan, adding extra significance to the tournament.
India emerged victorious, winning by 5 wickets, successfully chasing a target of 147 and securing their ninth Asia Cup title.
Match Summary
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Date & Venue: 28 September 2025, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
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Match Type: Men’s T20I – Asia Cup 2025 Final
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Result: India won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls to spare), chasing 147
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Toss: India won and elected to bowl first
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Player of the Match: Tilak Varma
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Player of the Tournament: Abhishek Sharma
India’s win meant they retained the Asia Cup title and extended their championship tally to 9 titles. The final was also marked by controversy, as India refused to accept the trophy from ACC President / PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi citing political tensions.
Full Scorecard
Pakistan Innings – 146 all out (19.1 overs)
| Position | Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahibzada Farhan | 57 | 38 | – | – | Out at 9.4 overs |
| 2 | Fakhar Zaman | 46 | 35 | – | – | Part of opening stand |
| 3 | Saim Ayub | – | – | – | – | Out at 12.5 overs |
| 4 | Mohammad Haris | – | – | – | – | Out at 13.3 overs |
| 5 | Hussain Talat | – | – | – | – | – |
| 6 | Nawaz / Others | – | – | – | – | – |
| 7 | Faheem Ashraf | – | – | – | – | – |
| 8 | Shaheen Afridi | – | – | – | – | – |
| 9 | Haris Rauf | – | – | – | – | – |
| 10 | Abrar Ahmed | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 146 | 19.1 | – | – | – |
Fall of wickets: 1–84 (Farhan), 2–113 (Saim Ayub); last 9 wickets fell for just 33 runs.
Bowling for India:
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Kuldeep Yadav: 4 wickets for 30 runs
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Jasprit Bumrah: 2 wickets
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Axar Patel: 2 wickets
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Varun Chakaravarthy: 2 wickets
India Innings – 150/5 (19.4 overs)
| Position | Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Notes / Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | – | – | – | – | Early wicket |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | – | – | – | – | Out early |
| 3 | Suryakumar Yadav (c) | – | – | – | – | Dismissed low in order |
| 4 | Tilak Varma | 69* | 53 | 3 | 4 | Anchored innings, Player of the Match |
| 5 | Shivam Dube | 33 | 22 | – | – | Key partnership with Varma |
| 6 | Rinku Singh | – | – | – | – | Hit winning boundary in final over |
| 7–10 | Others (incl. Axar, Bumrah etc.) | – | – | – | – | Lower-order contributions |
Key Highlights & Turning Points
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Stellar Start for Pakistan: Farhan Sahibzada (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) built a brisk opening stand, taking Pakistan past 110 for just 1 wicket.
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Spin Collapse: Pakistan’s middle and lower order collapsed under pressure from India’s spinners, particularly Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-wicket haul.
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Anchoring Knock: Tilak Varma steadied India after a poor start of 20/3 with a composed 69* off 53 balls.
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Crucial Support: A 60-run partnership between Varma and Shivam Dube shifted momentum toward India.
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Climactic Finish: Rinku Singh struck the winning boundary off Haris Rauf with 2 balls remaining.
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Controversial Presentation: India refused the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, resulting in no on-field celebration.
Aftermath & Reactions
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Player Awards: Tilak Varma – Player of the Match; Abhishek Sharma – Player of the Tournament.
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Diplomatic Controversy: The refusal to accept the trophy sparked media debate and political discussions.
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Historical Note: First-ever India-Pakistan Asia Cup final; India won all three encounters in the tournament.
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Fan Buzz: The final was remembered for cricketing drama, political undertones, and intense tension between the teams.
Know More: Suryakumar Yadav Biography: Career, Stats, IPL Journey
Conclusion
The 2025 Asia Cup final will be remembered as a thrilling spectacle of cricketing excellence and high-stakes drama. India showcased resilience, strategy, and composure, with Tilak Varma’s match-winning innings and Kuldeep Yadav’s incisive bowling standing out. Despite the trophy presentation controversy, India’s dominance over Pakistan in all three encounters of the tournament reinforced their supremacy in the region and delivered fans a historic and unforgettable final.
