IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Final: India Successfully Defend Title, Defeat Pakistan by 5 Wickets
Synopsis
India defended their Asia Cup 2025 title, winning their ninth crown with a victory over Pakistan. Chasing 146, Tilak Varma’s crucial innings steadied the chase after early wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav’s four-for restricted Pakistan to a modest total.
Team India's unbeaten run in the Asia Cup 2025 successfully culminated in defending their triumph with a victory over Pakistan in the high-stakes final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 28. The Men in Blue clinched the record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in the final.
With a 146-run target, India chased it down in the final over despite an early collapse in their batting line-up. Tilak Varma was the star performer for the Men in Blue with the bat as he played a crucial knock of 69 off 53 balls, anchoring India’s chase and guiding them to a comfortable victory. His 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Sanju Samson (24) and then a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket with Shivam Dube steadied the innings and ensured India crossed the finish line.
Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian bowling attack to bundle out Pakistan for 146, despite an 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46). Kuldeep registered figures of 4/30 at an economy rate of 7.50 in his spell of overs, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel picked two wickets each.
India pull off a thrilling run-chase
Chasing a modest target, Team India succumbed to pressure early in the innings as they were reduced to 20/3 after dismissals of Abhishek Sharma (6), Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Shubman Gill (12), leaving Tilak Varma to hold the innings together.
Tilakwas not alone as Sanju Samson gave a crucial support to the young middle-order, and the pair steadied India's ship with a half-century partnership before the latter fell for 24 at 77/4. After Samson's dismissal, Shivam Dube walked in to bat and joined Tilak Varma at the crease. Dube and Varma were a serious threat to Pakistan's bowlers as the pair was determined to take India over the line.
Tilak and Dube took a calculated risk and accelerated the innings at a crucial juncture as the duo formed another vital 60-run partnership before the latter was dismissed for 33 on the final ball of the penultimate over at 137/5.
India needed 10 off 6 balls to win when Shivam Dube was dismissed, and Rinku Singh joined Tilak Varma at the crease to steer India home. On the second delivery of Haris Rauf, Tilak Varma smashed a six to bring the equation down to 2 runs off 4 balls. When the Men in Blue required a one run off 3 balls to win, Rinku hit a winning four to take the team over the finishing line.
With this victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, India extended their unbeaten run, secured a record ninth Asia Cup title, and showcased their depth and resilience in high-pressure chases.
India 3-0 over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025
Team India and Pakistan locked horns three times in the Asia Cup 2025, and the Men in Blue emerged victorious in all three encounters, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record over their arch-rivals in the tournament. Earlier, India defeated Pakistan in the group stage and Super 4 clash before clashing once again in the final, where they sealed the title with a thrilling five-wicket victory, completing a dominant campaign over their long-time rivals.
Additionally, India extended their winning streak to eight matches against Pakistan, continuing their dominance in international cricket since the T20 World Cup 2021 defeat and reinforcing their supremacy over their arch-rivals in high-pressure T20 clashes.
In T20Is, India have registered their 13th victory over Pakistan in 16 outings, solidifying their superiority in the shortest format and maintaining an impressive winning record against their long-time rivals.