In a high-octane final that will be remembered for both its cricketing drama and political undertones, India clinched the 2025 Asia Cup by defeating Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 28 September. This victory marked India’s ninth Asia Cup crown across formats and reinforced their dominance in continental cricket.
Pakistan’s Strong Start, Then Stunning Collapse
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan looked to set a daunting total. The openers gave them a blazing start, with Babar Azam anchoring the innings and the scoreboard racing to 113 for 1 in just 13 overs. At that point, a total above 180 seemed likely.
However, the tide shifted when Kuldeep Yadav entered the attack. The left-arm spinner delivered a sensational spell, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs and dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. The Pakistani side collapsed dramatically, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs and crashing to 146 all out in 19.1 overs. Fielding errors—dropped catches and a missed stumping—only added to their woes, leaving their bowlers with little cushion to defend.
India’s Chase: A Test of Grit
India’s reply began on shaky ground. The early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav reduced the side to 10 for 2 in the third over. The Pakistani seamers looked threatening, and for a brief period, the pressure mounted.
Then came Tilak Varma’s moment. The young left-hander, calm and unflinching, steadied the innings with a masterclass under pressure. His unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, studded with three boundaries and four towering sixes, was the backbone of India’s chase. He found an able partner in Shivam Dube, whose 32 anchored a crucial stand. When Dube departed with the finish line in sight, the equation narrowed down to nine runs off the last six balls.
Rinku Singh, known for his finishing skills, held his nerve. Smacking the winning runs with just two balls to spare, Rinku ensured India reached 150 for 5 in 19.4 overs, sparking jubilant celebrations in the stands and across the cricket-loving nation.
Politics Overshadows Ceremony
Beyond the cricket, the final was charged with diplomatic tension. At the post-match presentation, India’s players declined to receive their trophy and medals from Mohsin Naqvi, who doubles as both Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the current Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman. The unusual situation delayed the prize distribution by nearly an hour.
In a symbolic move, Indian players staged their own celebration, lifting the trophy informally among themselves and refusing a handshake with officials. While some accepted prize money, they did so without acknowledging Naqvi, sending a pointed political message.
A Win Beyond the Field
India’s victory was more than just another trophy. It showcased their cricketing depth, with young players like Varma and Rinku proving their mettle under immense pressure. But it also highlighted how cricket between India and Pakistan remains inseparably bound to the larger geopolitical narrative.
As the celebrations lit up Dubai and reverberated back home, India’s ninth Asia Cup title became not just a sporting triumph, but a defining moment in the ongoing saga of cricket’s fiercest rivalry.