India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final – India Crowned Champions After Thrilling Victory
Match Overview
- Tournament: Asia Cup 2025 (Final)
- Venue: Dubai International Stadium
- Result: India won by 5 wickets
- India’s 9th Asia Cup Title
On September 28, 2025, cricket fans across the globe witnessed another high-octane India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup final. The game lived up to its billing with thrills, collapses, match-winning knocks, and controversy that spilled over into the post-match ceremony.
Table of Contents
India’s Chase — Tilak Varma Anchors the Victory
Chasing a tricky 147 in a pressure final, India had a stuttering start.
- Abhishek Sharma fell early for just 7 runs.
- Skipper Suryakumar Yadav couldn’t convert his start, adding to the tension.
- The responsibility then fell on Tilak Varma, who played one of the most composed innings of his young career.
- Tilak remained unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, guiding India with calmness.
- Shivam Dube supported with a crucial 33 off 22 balls.
- With the match going down to the wire, Rinku Singh smashed the winning boundary in the 20th over.
India Batting Scorecard (Top Performers)
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | 69* | 53 | 130 | 8/1 |
| Shivam Dube | 33 | 22 | 150 | 3/2 |
| Rinku Singh | 12* | 6 | 200 | 2/0 |
| Others | <20 |
Total: 150/5 (19.4 overs)
Pakistan’s Innings — A Flying Start, Then a Collapse
Pakistan, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and looked strong in the powerplay.
- Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35) provided a fiery start, scoring boundaries freely.
- At one stage, Pakistan were comfortably placed at 90/1 in 9 overs, threatening to post 180+.
- But India’s spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav turned the match on its head.
- Kuldeep picked 4 wickets for 30 runs, sparking a stunning collapse.
- Pakistan lost 8 wickets for just 56 runs.
- The innings wrapped up at 146 all out in 19.1 overs.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard (Top Performers)
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 57 | 38 | 150 | 7/2 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 46 | 35 | 131 | 6/2 |
| Shadab Khan | 12 | 14 | 85 | 1/0 |
| Others | <20 |
Extras: 8
Total: 146 (19.1 overs)
Key Turning Points
- Kuldeep Yadav’s Magical Spell (4/30)
- Broke Pakistan’s momentum and triggered the collapse.
- Tilak Varma’s Match-Winning Knock (69)*
- Kept India steady in a tense chase.
- Final Over Drama
- Needing 2 from 2, Rinku Singh’s boundary sealed the title.
Player of the Match
Tilak Varma (69* off 53 balls) — for anchoring India’s chase under pressure.
Player of the Tournament
Kuldeep Yadav — for his consistent wicket-taking spells throughout the Asia Cup.
Trophy Controversy — Politics Overshadow the Celebration
Despite India’s victory, the post-match ceremony sparked diplomatic drama:
- The Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is both ACC President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister/PCB Chief.
- The presentation ceremony was delayed and eventually cut short, with no official trophy handover.
- Suryakumar Yadav expressed disappointment, saying the team was “denied the moment to lift the trophy.”
- Pakistan captain Salman Agha called India’s conduct “disrespectful.”
This controversy has added another layer of tension to Indo-Pak cricketing relations.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 146 all out | 19.1 | |
| India | 150/5 | 19.4 | India won by 5 wickets |
Final Thoughts
- India once again proved their dominance in Asia Cup cricket, winning their 9th title.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling brilliance and Tilak Varma’s composure under pressure were the highlights.
- While fans celebrated India’s victory, the trophy presentation row left a bitter aftertaste, reminding the world that cricket between these two giants is never free from politics.
India not only lifted the cup on the field but also showed their mental toughness in the biggest rivalry of world cricket.
