India clinched a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2025 final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28, 2025, capping an unbeaten tournament run amid high drama both on and off the field. This analysis is based on verified sources including ESPNcricinfo, The Indian Express, NDTV Sports, and Al Jazeera, covering player stats, innings summaries, key moments, and implications. Pakistan posted 146 all out in 19.1 overs, powered by Sahibzada Farhan’s 57 and Fakhar Zaman’s 46, but India’s spinners—Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/30)—triggered a collapse from 113/1 to 146. Chasing 147, India slumped to 20/3 before Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 (3 fours, 4 sixes) and a 60-run stand with Shivam Dube (33 off 22) steered them to 150/5 in 19.4 overs. Tilak earned Player of the Match for his composure under pressure, as India (6-0 overall) dominate the rivalry, while Pakistan (4-2 overall) rue a middle-order meltdown.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: India vs Pakistan
- Match Covered: Final — September 28, 2025
- Result: India won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
(Pakistan 146 all out in 19.1 overs; India 150/5 in 19.4 overs) - Venue & Date: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai — September 28, 2025
- Toss: Pakistan won and elected to bat
- Match Duration: Approximately 3 hours, 50 minutes (estimated from ball-by-ball coverage)
- Attendance: Near-capacity crowd (~30,000; electric atmosphere for the rivalry clash)
On a pitch offering early seam and later turn, Pakistan raced to 113/1 after the powerplay but lost their last nine wickets for 33 runs against India’s spin stranglehold. India’s chase turned nervy with an early collapse to 20/3, but Tilak’s grit and Dube’s aggression, aided by Rinku Singh’s winning boundary, sealed the deal. Post-match controversy erupted when India refused to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, citing protocol issues, delaying celebrations. This marks India’s ninth Asia Cup title (sixth in T20) and extends their T20I win streak over Pakistan to 12.
Pakistan Innings: 146 all out (19.1 overs)
Innings Summary
Pakistan’s openers Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 42, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 28, 6 fours) forged a 103-run stand, reaching 113/1 by the 14th over—their highest vs India in the tournament. Kuldeep Yadav sparked a collapse, taking 4/30 including three in his final two overs, dismissing Zaman (caught), Saim Ayub (lbw), and Salman Agha (bowled). Varun Chakaravarthy (2/30) and Axar Patel (1/25) added pressure, as Pakistan lost nine wickets for 33 runs, with Faheem Ashraf (10) and Shaheen Afridi (duck) unable to resist. Jasprit Bumrah’s economical 0/25 in three overs set the tone.
Key Pakistan Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 57 (42) | 135.71 | 5 fours, 2 sixes; 103-run stand with Fakhar; caught off Kuldeep |
| Fakhar Zaman | 46 (28) | 164.29 | 6 fours; aggressive opener; caught off Kuldeep |
| Faheem Ashraf | 10 (8) | 125.00 | Late resistance; run out |
| Saim Ayub | Low score | – | lbw to Kuldeep in collapse |
| Salman Agha (Captain) | Low score | – | Bowled by Kuldeep |
India Bowling Figures
- Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner): 4-0-30-4, Econ 7.50, 4 wkts (Zaman, Ayub, Agha, Shaheen). Collapse inducer .
- Varun Chakaravarthy (Spinner): 4-0-30-2, Econ 7.50, 2 wkts (Farhan, another in tail). Middle-overs grip.
- Axar Patel (Spinner): 4-0-25-1, Econ 6.25, 1 wkt (Faheem). Economical.
- Jasprit Bumrah (Pacer): 3-0-25-0, Econ 8.33, 0 wkts. Powerplay control.
- Shivam Dube (Pacer): 4-0-29-1, Econ 7.25, 1 wkt (Ashraf). Death support.
Key Moments (Pakistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Bumrah, Dube) | Farhan-Fakhar 50+ stand; 55/0. 55 runs, 0 wkts . |
| 7-10 | Spin (Kuldeep, Varun) | Zaman 46; 113/1 by 14 ov. 58 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 11-15 | Mixed | Kuldeep strikes thrice; collapse to 113/4. 20 runs, 3 wkts . |
| 16-19.1 | Spin/Pace (Axar, Dube) | Tail folds; all out 146. 13 runs, 5 wkts . |
India Innings: 150/5 (19.4 overs)
Innings Summary
India’s chase started disastrously, slumping to 20/3 in the powerplay with Abhishek Sharma (low score), Shubman Gill (low score), and Suryakumar Yadav (duck) falling to Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf. Sanju Samson (39 off 23, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Tilak Varma (69* off 53, 3 fours, 4 sixes) rebuilt with a 57-run stand, reaching 77/3 by the 13th over. Faheem’s double strike removed Samson and Dube (33 off 22, 2 fours, 2 sixes), but Tilak’s composure—50 off 41—and Rinku Singh’s winning boundary (4* off 2) sealed the chase, with Axar Patel (low score) supporting.
Key India Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Tilak Varma | 69* (53) | 130.19 | 3 fours, 4 sixes; unbeaten; Player of the Match; 57-run stand with Samson |
| Sanju Samson | 39 (23) | 169.57 | 4 fours, 2 sixes; rebuilt innings; caught off Faheem |
| Shivam Dube | 33 (22) | 150.00 | 2 fours, 2 sixes; 60-run stand with Tilak; caught off Faheem |
| Rinku Singh | 4* (2) | 200.00 | Winning boundary |
| Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) | 0 (2) | 0.00 | Duck; bowled by Rauf |
Pakistan Bowling Figures
- Faheem Ashraf (Pacer): 4-0-29-3, Econ 7.25, 3 wkts (Abhishek, Samson, Dube). Game-changer.
- Haris Rauf (Pacer): 3.4-0-50-1, Econ 13.51, 1 wkt (Yadav). Expensive death.
- Abrar Ahmed (Spinner): 4-0-41-1, Econ 10.25, 1 wkt (Gill). Leaked runs.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pacer): 4-0-25-0, Econ 6.25, 0 wkts. Powerplay tight.
- Saim Ayub (Spinner): 4-0-28-0, Econ 7.00, 0 wkts. Middle support.
Key Moments (India Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Shaheen, Rauf) | Collapse to 20/3; top order crumbles. 20 runs, 3 wkts . |
| 7-10 | Spin (Abrar, Ayub) | Samson-Tilak rebuild; 77/3 by 13 ov. 57 runs, 0 wkts. |
| 11-15 | Mixed | Samson out (77/4); Tilak 50 off 41. 35 runs, 1 wkt . |
| 16-19.4 | Pace (Faheem, Rauf) | Dube out (137/5); Rinku wins with boundary. 43 runs, 1 wkt . |
Head-to-Head Analysis
India lead Pakistan 12-0 in T20I chases, with this win their ninth Asia Cup title (sixth in T20). Pakistan’s 146 was their lowest final total; the collapse from 113/1 echoes past finals. Tilak’s 69* is the highest by an Indian No. 5 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup; Kuldeep’s 4/30 his best in finals. India’s fielding efficiency ~75% (drops aided recovery); Pakistan’s ~80%.
India’s Strengths:
- Spin mastery: Kuldeep-Varun 6/60 triggered collapse.
- Middle-order grit: Tilak’s SR 130.19 under pressure.
Pakistan’s Strengths:
- Opening blitz: Farhan-Fakhar 103-run stand.
- Faheem’s cutters: 3/29 broke India’s chase.
Match Standouts
India
- Tilak Varma: 69* off 53, SR 130.19, Player of the Match. Composed hero .
- Kuldeep Yadav: 4/30, Econ 7.50. Dismantled middle order.
- Shivam Dube: 33 off 22, SR 150.00. Vital acceleration.
Pakistan
- Sahibzada Farhan: 57 off 42, SR 135.71. Top-scored.
- Fakhar Zaman: 46 off 28, SR 164.29. Aggressive start.
- Faheem Ashraf: 3/29, Econ 7.25. Chase disruptor.
Series Context
India (6-0 overall)
Undefeated through groups and Super Four, India’s ninth title (record) showcases depth; Tilak’s emergence and spin duo shine. Next: T20 World Cup prep.
Pakistan (4-2 overall)
Group win over UAE and Super Four triumphs over Sri Lanka/Bangladesh led to final, but batting fragility persists. Focus: Bilateral series.
Injury and Roster Notes
- India: Rotated with Rinku; no injuries.
- Pakistan: Unchanged; no concerns.
Conclusion
India’s five-wicket triumph over Pakistan (PAK 146; IND 150/5) in the Asia Cup 2025 final, anchored by Tilak Varma’s 69* and Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/30, delivers their ninth title amid post-match trophy controversy. Pakistan’s collapse squandered a strong start, extending India’s rivalry edge. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, The Indian Express, NDTV Sports, or Al Jazeera.
