Dubai, September 28 — India reaffirmed their dominance in multi-nation T20 tournaments with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 147 for victory, India held their nerve in a tense contest to finish on 150 for 5 in 19.4 overs, extending their unbeaten run in tournament play since 2023.
Pakistan, after choosing to bat, looked well-placed at 100 for 1 in the 12th over with Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35) anchoring a fluent opening stand of 84. But their innings unravelled spectacularly thereafter. India’s spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy (2/30) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/30) triggered a collapse that saw Pakistan lose their last nine wickets for just 33 runs. From 114 for 2, they folded for 146 in 19.1 overs. Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive 3 for 25 further dented Pakistan’s hopes of posting a competitive total.
Pakistan struck back early with the ball. Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf reduced India to 20 for 3 inside four overs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav. Sanju Samson (35) and Tilak Varma (56 not out) then stitched a vital 57-run partnership, steadying the chase with measured strokeplay. Samson was reprieved on 12 when Hussain Talat dropped a straightforward chance — a moment Pakistan would come to rue.
Abrar Ahmed briefly lifted Pakistan’s hopes by removing Samson, but Tilak, in the company of Shivam Dube (32), guided India through the tense middle overs. Their 50-run stand shifted momentum decisively. With 10 needed off the final over, Tilak struck Haris Rauf for a towering six before Rinku Singh sealed the chase with a boundary, maintaining India’s flawless record of nine successful chases against Pakistan in T20Is.
The final marked India’s ninth Asia Cup triumph — seven in ODIs and two in T20Is — and their fourth in the last five editions. It also extended their unbeaten run in T20 multi-nation tournaments to 17 completed matches, dating back to 2023.
The presentations were not without drama. In an unusual move, the Indian team declined to collect their medals and trophy, choosing instead to pose informally for the cameras, with Suryakumar Yadav mimicking Rohit Sharma’s flamboyant “Ric Flair walk” from the 2024 T20 World Cup celebrations.
Player awards reflected India’s dominance. Tilak Varma was named Player of the Match for his composed, career-defining half-century under pressure, while Abhishek Sharma, who mirrored Virender Sehwag’s fearless approach throughout the tournament, was adjudged Player of the Tournament. “If you see any bowler, even the premium ones, my plan is to attack from the first ball. That’s the intent I brought in, and the captain and coach supported me fully,” Abhishek said.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha conceded that his side fell short with the bat despite spirited bowling. “We did not finish well. The bowlers gave everything, but losing wickets in clusters hurt us. Still, I am proud of the team’s fight,” he remarked.
India’s depth once again proved decisive. With Hardik Pandya absent due to injury and Arshdeep Singh sitting out for balance, Shivam Dube shouldered responsibility both with the new ball and in the chase. Bowling coach Morne Morkel lauded the side’s adaptability: “Shivam set the tone with the ball and then finished strongly with the bat. Our spinners were brilliant through the middle overs.”
Statistics underscored India’s consistency. They have now won each of their last 34 completed T20 matches featuring Shivam Dube, while Tilak averages an astonishing 92.50 in successful run-chases. Notably, India have prevailed in every completed T20I chase against Pakistan.
For Pakistan, the defeat was another painful reminder of their frailties in high-pressure contests. Their openers provided a platform, but a lack of composure in the middle order, coupled with fielding lapses, cost them dearly.
The Asia Cup’s conclusion leaves India not only as champions but as the undisputed benchmark in the shortest format, with pundits already tipping them as firm favourites to defend their T20 World Cup crown in 2026.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
