Okay, folks! That's it from the India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 final. One could not have asked for a better match of cricket! Both the teams fought really well and India ended up clinching a record-extending ninth title. We hope you liked our coverage. Until we meet again, goodbye!

In a bizarre sequence of events, the Asia Cup trophy was not awarded to champions India at the presentation after they refused to accept the silverware from Pakistan minister and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi. The presentation ceremony finally began after a long delay but only individual performers were feted. Despite India's refusal to accept the trophy from him, Naqvi stood firm on the stage and eventually the trophy was not awarded to the winning team probably the first time on a cricket field.

Abhishek Sharma receives the Player of the Tournament award. The southpaw scored 314 runs in 7 matches at an average of 44.85 and a strike rate of 200. His highest score was 75. The batter smashed three fifties.

The players of Pakistan cricket team are receiving the runners-up medal. None of them are receiving it from the Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi. However, the runners-up check of USD 75000 is being given to Salman Agha by Naqvi only.

The presentation ceremony begins and Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also there with other officials on the podium. Shivam Dube gets the 'Gamechanger of the Match' award. Tilak Varma receives 'Player of the Match' award but none of them receive it from Naqvi.

According to PTI sources, Indian team has refused to accept Asia Cup 2025 winners' trophy from Pakistan minister and Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. But there is no official confirmation on this yet.

"Really enjoyed the pressure. Not played many Indo-Pak games but the pressure was there, I had to use my experience, calm my nerves, watch the ball and react. It came off nicely. I had a really good partnership with Tilak and enjoyed playing the game today. The game dictates what type of cricket you need to play. You have to respect the condition and situations. That is what we have learned after years and years of cricket in the IPL, years and years of playing cricket," said Sanju Samson.

"The target was not much and losing three early wickets never easy but the way Sanju and Tilak batted and the way Dube hit those sixes was amazing. There wasn't much panic with 30 off 3 overs, but it was a slow wicket and the boundaries are bigger, the way both the batters batted, first soaking in the pressure and then hit it out of the park," said Shubman Gill.

"Of course (spin is still India's strength to win big matches). It's very important to bowl in the middle overs. And of course, we, Varun and Axar, playing together, obviously, it's a luxury to have. And everyone has a different role. Before the game, he (Hari) just sent the screenshot of the lengths where you are going to bowl to the batters. And obviously, masterclass from Tilak. You know, he was unbelievable today," said Kuldeep Yadav.

"I feel great. Definitely, at that time, I was going for the wickets, and Fakhar and Farhan were going well. And yes, I had done some plans, and it worked out in the way. But Kuldeep came and finished, yeah. It gave me memories of KKR when we were playing together. And he's always a star," said Varun Chakravarthy after the game.

While Tilak Varma hogged the deserved limelight for this fighting knock that took India through, Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube also chipped in with crucial cameos. Samson hit 24 off 21, while Dube scored 33 off 22. Dube’s six to Haris Rauf on the final ball of the 18th over was one of the game-changing moments. Before that, India needed 23 off 13, and that six turned the equation to 17 off 12.

"Tilak Varma, the way he batted under pressure was just brilliant," said Pakistan great Wasim Akram on Sony Sports Network after the game. The Indian southpaw raced to his half-century in 41 balls and then went on to score 19 off the next 12. His innings was laced with three fours and four sixes, one of which came in the final over.

Rinku ne laga diya ek aur winning shot
India are the champions of Asia
Watch #DPWORLDASIACUP2025 - on #SonyLIV & #SonySportsNetwork TV Channels #AsiaCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/roiXkF1iqg

— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) September 28, 2025

This game was truly a roller-coaster ride. Pakistan were off to a flying start - 113 for 1 in 12.4 overs. Their openers Shahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman laid a solid platform, but India bounced back in style and bundled them out for 146 runs. At that point, India looked clear favourites, but Pakistan rocked India in the chase with a brilliant start with the ball, reducing them to 20 for 3 in four overs. Tilak Varma joined hands with Sanju Samson to rescue India. Just when India were about to get in command, Samson was dismissed. Tilak then forged a partnership with Shivam Dube to keep India fighting. It came down to the final over, and nobody knew who the winner would be. It was Tilak Varma in the final over who pulled off the heist for India. History will remember this man for what he has done tonight! Simply sensational!

India had their back against the wall when they lost three wickets for just 20 runs in the chase of 147 runs, but Tilak Varma rose to the occasion and scored a fighting 69 not out off 53 balls. It was a match that went down to the wire and Tilak was the man, who sealed the deal in India's favour with a stunning six over deep square leg.

The field has come up and Rinku Singh has hit the Haris Rauf delivery over the mid-on for a four. That is the victory for India!!! They have defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in this thrilling Asia Cup 2025 final. With sooooo much at stake, India have managed to pull off the victory. A win to remeber for ages! That is a record-extending 9th Asia Cup title for India.

Oh, Tilak, you beauty!!! He has smashed Haris Rauf for a SIX over deep square leg. "Picked the bones out of it," says Ravi Shastri on-air. This should be the game for India! They need just two runs to win off the final four balls.

Tilak Varma has hit it down the ground. It did not come off well but the Indian batters managed to steal a couple of runs. India need 8 in 5 balls. This is still anybody's game. Can Tilak Varma do the wonder for India?

Faheem Ashraf has got the wicket of Shivam Dube on the final ball of the over. It was a slower ball, and Dube smashed it high in the air with his bat flipping as he played the shot. Shaheen Afridi took a superb catch under pressure right on the boundary at long-off. India need 10 off the final over. What a game this is!

IND 137/5 (19)

This is smart batting from Shivam Dube. He has smashed a four through the left of the long-on fielder and that will take pressure off him and India. Since Faheem was bowling slower balls outside off-stump, Dube went across this time and smashed it from there for the boundary. The side needs 10 runs in 8 balls.

IND 137/4 (18.4)

The match resumes after a delay of more than five minutes. Faheem Ashraf starts with a fuller ball outside off-stump. Tilak Varma attempted a sweep from there but failed to beat the fielder at square leg. Just a single came off it. Dube on strike now.

Faheen Ashraf has pulled back in his run-up twice while going to delivery the first ball of the over. The bowler seems in some trouble. A hamstring it seems. We have a short break in play. India would not have wanted that because they had the momentum.

That was such a good over from Haris Rauf till the fifth ball. He had conceded only seven runs while bowling according to plan. Rauf bowled a full delivery on the final ball, and Dube smacked it over cow corner for six. India need 17 runs in 12 balls.

Just six runs off the final over of Shaheen Afridi’s spell. He bowled really well tonight, finishing with figures of 1 for 20 in four overs. A bit of pressure is back on India, as they need 30 runs in 18 balls. The asking rate has increased from 9 to 10.

Tilak Varma scores his fifty in 41 balls! What a knock this is from the southpaw. India had their back against the wall after losing three early wickets, but Tilak rose to the occasion with a fighting fifty. The work is not done yet, as he needs to stay there till the end and finish this game in India’s favor. The chasing team need 36 runs in 24 balls.

IND 111/4 (16)

This is a big over for India. Haris Rauf has been hit for 17 runs in this over. He started with mid-on and mid-off inside the circle, and Shivam Dube hit him for a four through extra cover. A ball later, Tilak smashed him down the ground for a second four. The southpaw also smashed a six on the last ball of the over towards deep backward square leg to make it an expensive over. India need 47 runs in 30 balls. The asking rate has dropped below 10.

Tilak Varma has survived! Shivam Dube got an outside edge on the ball from Saim Ayub. It went through the slips before the short third man collected it and threw it back to the wicketkeeper. Tilak wanted a second run, but Dube sent him back too late. The throw came in time to the wicketkeeper, but he was a fraction late in removing the bails. India need over 10 runs per over.

IND 83/4 (14)

Just when it looked like India were on the move, Abrar Ahmed produced a stunning over to put Pakistan back in command. Just two runs came off the over, along with a wicket. India need 69 runs in 42 balls. The asking rate is close to 10 now. There is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the set batsman, Tilak Varma.

IND 78/4 (13)

This is a brilliant piece of bowling from Abrar Ahmed! He gave flight to that leg-break. It gripped slightly and spun away, taking the outside edge of Sanju Samson’s bat. Sahibzada Farhan took the catch at backward point. Pressure is back on India. They need 70 runs in 46 balls.

IND 77/4 (12.2)

This was always coming - either a wicket or a boundary, as Saim Ayub had bowled three dot balls in a row to Sanju Samson. The spinner erred in his length and bowled a half-tracker. Samson muscled it over long-on for a big six. A dot ball followed. Seven runs came off the over.

IND 76/3 (12)

Abrar Ahmed bowled a flighted delivery on the third ball of the over, and Tilak Varma smashed it for a six. He found the gap between the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielders for that six. Eleven runs came off the over. India need 78 runs in 54 balls.

IND 69/3 (11)

India need 89 runs in 60 balls. The dew has started settling in, and this is a good sign from India’s perspective, as the Pakistan bowlers will find it tough to bowl as the match progresses. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson have added 38 runs off 36 balls so far. One of them needs to take responsibility for accelerating the innings from here.

IND 58/3 (10)

It was a good-length ball from Abrar Ahmed, and Sanju Samson failed to time it off the middle of his bat due to the extra bounce. The catch was dropped at deep mid-wicket, where Hussain Talat dived forward, but the ball popped out of his hands and fell on the ground.

IND 52/3 (8.3)

Haris Rauf started his spell with a seven-run over. Sanju Samson pulled the pacer for a four on the third ball of the over. It was a short-of-length ball, and Samson hit it through cow corner for four. India need 98 runs in 72 balls.

IND 49/3 (8)

Mohammad Nawaz bowled a full delivery, and Tilak Varma played a sweep shot to perfection. He hit it on the right of deep square leg fielder and beat him comfortably. The southpaw is bringing India back into the game. They need 107 runs in 82 balls.

Tilak Varma is fighting back for Team India. He smashed a beautiful four on the off-side before Faheem Ashraf erred in his line, bowling a slower ball down the leg stump. Tilak smashed it powerfully over long-leg for a six. Eleven runs came off the over.

IND 36/3 (6)

That is a beautiful shot from Sanju Samson. It was a full-length delivery from Shaheen Afridi outside off-stump, and Samson drove it beautifully for a four. Despite the boundary, just five runs came off the over. India need 122 runs in 90 balls.

IND 25/3 (5)

Shubman Gill came down the track but was outfoxed by a slower delivery from Faheem Ashraf. India are in deep trouble here. They are three down at the end of four overs. This is poor batting from India. They started this chase too lightly and are now under too much pressure. The asking rate is still below 8, but Indian batters are actually panicking, as mentioned by Sunil Gavaskar on-air.

IND 20/3 (4)

2.6 - The play resumed, and Shubman Gill tucked the Shaheen Afridi delivery towards short mid-wicket and tried to take a single. A miscommunication put the batter in real trouble. Had there been a direct hit, Gill would have been run out for sure. Luckily for him, an underarm throw missed the stumps. “Why are they panicking?” said Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar on-air, commenting on India.

The play has been halted at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Shubman Gill seemed to be having a problem. He informed the umpire about it, and the match was subsequently stopped. There seems to be an issue with something hanging, possibly the spidercam.

Big wicket this is for Pakistan! Suryakumar Yadav is out. He hit the Shaheen Afridi delivery to mid-off, where Salman Agha took an excellent catch jumping forward. India have lost two early wickets, which allows Pakistan to make a comeback in this game.

Suryakumar Yadav c Salman Agha b Shaheen Afridi 1(5)

IND 10/2 (2.3)

Just three runs came off the over from Faheem Ashraf, along with a wicket. The right-arm bowler mixed his pace really well in the over. India need a good partnership here. Pakistan, on the other hand, are making a game out of it, just as they did against Bangladesh in their Super Four match to qualify for the final.

India are one down! That is really smart bowling from Faheem Ashraf. He has outfoxed Abhishek Sharma with a slower one. He also kept the ball away from the reach of the batter, which resulted in the southpaw hitting the ball from the bottom of his bat to the fielder at mid-on.

Abhishek Sharma c Haris Rauf b Faheem Ashraf 5(6)

Seven runs came off the first over from Shaheen Afridi. He got some good swing and managed to trouble Abhishek Sharma during the over. India need to play out the powerplay overs well, as the fast bowlers will be getting good help with this new ball.

IND 7/0 (1)

0.2 - That is a good shot from Abhishek Sharma through the off-side for four. Shaheen Afridi bowled a good-length delivery outside off-stump, and Abhishek punched it through the gap between the cover and point fielders for a four.

Shaheen Afridi has the new ball in hand. Abhishek Sharma is on strike, with Shubman Gill at the other end. A nice battle between Shaheen and Abhishek coming up. Here we go... Shaheen begins with a fuller ball that swung away. Abhishek jumped out of his crease and missed it completely.

Pakistan were cruising at 113 for 1 in 12.4 overs. They seemed all set to post a total close to 200, or even more. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Saim Ayub on the next ball, and that opened the floodgates. One after another, Pakistan kept losing wickets, eventually getting bowled out for a paltry 146 on a batting-friendly surface in Dubai. They lost their last nine wickets for just 33 runs.

After he cleaned up Haris Rauf, Jasprit Bumrah came up with a special celebration. Notably, Haris had made a controversial '6-0' gesture towards Indian fans and also mimicked a plane falling from the air. After dismissing him tonight, Bumrah responded with a similar celebration.

Jasprit Bumrah strikes on the first ball of the final over, and Pakistan are all out for 146 runs! Mohammad Nawaz pulled a Bumrah delivery from outside off-stump but found Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket. That is the second wicket for India ace pacer, who didn't have a good start in this game.

Nawaz c Rinku Singh b Bumrah 6(9)

Jasprit Bumrah nails his yorker well this time, and Haris Rauf has been bowled. Pakistan are nine down. India need just one more wicket to wrap up the innings, while Pakistan need to survive for 13 balls. What a waste of an opportunity from the batting side!

Haris Rauf b Bumrah 6(4)

This is a pathetic display of batting from Pakistan. Kuldeep Yadav gave this ball flight, and Faheem Ashraf hit it straight into the hands of the fielder at long-off. Extremely poor batting from Pakistan! Nothing to take away from Kuldeep, who bowled really well. He ended his quota of four overs with figures of 4 for 30.

Faheem Ashraf c Tilak Varma b Kuldeep Yadav 0(2) 

Shaheen Afridi, who had been playing crucial cameos towards the end of the innings for Pakistan in this tournament, has been dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. Pakistan are in deep trouble here! They are seven down. What an over this is turning out to be from Kuldeep! He has two more balls left.

PAK 134/7 (16.4)

Salman Agha jumped out of his crease, but Kuldeep Yadav showed good courage and still gave the ball flight. He just shortened the length of the ball a bit, which reaped rewards for him. The ball gripped slightly before reaching Agha, and the batter ended up hitting it high. Sanju Samson called for the catch and took a brilliant one with a dive near square leg.

Salman Agha c Samson b Kuldeep Yadav 8(7)

15.3 - Axar Patel has struck again! He has got the wicket of Hussain Talat. The southpaw swung hard but only managed to mistime it, sending it high in the air. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson took a couple of steps to his left and caught it.

Hussain Talat c Samson b Axar 1(2)

Salman Agha hit the Axar Patel delivery on the off-side and ran for a couple. Just when the Pakistan captain was taking his ground at the completion of the second run, he came in the line of a throw directed towards the stumps. India skipper Suryakumar Yadav had it check for a possible obstruction of field, but TV umpire was satisfied that it was unintentional from Agha.

India have truly turned this game on its head! Fakhar Zaman smashed Varun Chakravarthy over long-on for a six on the third ball of the over but lost his wicket on the very next ball. He mistimed it, and Kuldeep didn’t make any mistake, taking a good catch while backpedaling at backward point.

Fakhar Zaman c Kuldeep Yadav b Varun Chakaravarthy 46(35)

PAK 126/4 (14.4)

Well, India have turned things around in the past two overs. They have conceded just 11 runs and claimed two wickets. Pakistan's scoring rate has dipped a bit. It will be interesting to see how Fakhar Zaman, who is on 38, progresses from here. Will he play the anchor role or take on the responsibility of scoring quick runs?

A third wicket for India! Mohammad Haris has been dismissed by Axar Patel. He wanted to play it over extra cover, but the ball didn't turn and went straight. Haris ended up hitting it straight to the fielder at long-off. Pakistan are three down, and India are back in the game!

Mohammad Haris c Rinku Singh b Axar 0(2)

Another wicket for India! This was always coming! Kuldeep Yadav had not conceded any boundary in the first four balls of this over, and a desperate Saim Ayub went for a boundary and lost his wicket. He ended up slashing this Kuldeep delivery to Jasprit Bumrah at backward point.

Saim Ayub c Bumrah b Kuldeep Yadav 14(11)

Tilak Varma was brought into the attack and gave away 9 runs in the over. Fakhar Zaman slammed the spinner for a four down the ground. That boundary took Pakistan past the 100-run mark. They are progressing really well in this innings.

Even one of India's most economical bowlers, Shivam Dube, leaked runs this time. He went for 11 in his third over. Saim Ayub hit the medium pacer for two fours. India still haven’t managed to control Pakistan’s scoring rate.

PAK 98/1 (11) 

10 runs came off the over from Varun Chakravarthy. It also included a wicket. India couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity, with Saim Ayub, an out-of-form batter, at the crease. They should aim to put a check on Pakistan's scoring rate.

First breakthrough for India! Varun Chakravarthy has claimed the wicket of Sahibzada Farhan! It was a short ball that bounced slightly, and Farhan pulled it straight into the hands of the fielder at deep mid-wicket. India desperately needed this wicket. Pakistan are one down after 58 balls.

Sahibzada Farhan c Tilak Varma b Varun Chakaravarthy 57(38)

PAK 84/1 (9.4)

Sahibzada Farhan hit Kuldeep Yadav's fourth delivery over point for two runs to reach his fifty in 35 balls. It was yet another expensive over from Kuldeep, as he conceded 13 runs. Pakistan are truly in command at the moment. India badly need wickets to make a comeback.

8.2 – In the slot from Kuldeep Yadav, and Fakhar Zaman has smashed it away for an 86-metre six. That is a stunning shot from Fakhar. He hits it so cleanly that you will always love watching his shots! The ball went over deep mid-wicket for a big six.

Axar Patel has bowled an eight-run over. Given the kind of surface this is, even such an over could be considered economical. Sahibzada Farhan smashed the spinner for four through cow corner. He needs just three more to race to his fifty.

Sahibzada Farhan hit the ball towards cow corner for two runs, and Pakistan raced to the 50-run mark. Kuldeep bowled a half-tracker next, and Farhan smashed it into the crowd for a six. It was a poor delivery from the wrist spinner, who had been bowling really well otherwise. Eleven runs came off the over.

PAK 56/0 (7)

Sahibzada Farhan rocks back and smashes an Axar Patel delivery over mid-off for a four. Eight runs came off the over. That is the end of the powerplay. Pakistan didn't lose any wicket, but they haven’t scored too quickly either. It could be considered a shared phase.

PAK 45/0 (6)

Spin was introduced, and Varun Chakravarthy didn't disappoint. Even on this batting-friendly surface in the powerplay, he bowled a five-run over. On the final ball, Sahibzada Farhan made room and smashed a powerful shot, but Suryakumar Yadav made a superb diving save at extra cover.

PAK 37/0 (5)

Jasprit Bumrah has definitely not looked his best in this tournament, and this over was just another example of that. Sahibzada Farhan smashed the ace pacer for two sixes in the over. The first went over cow corner, while the second went over long-off. This pitch is a batting paradise indeed!

Sahibzada Farhan squeezed a Jasprit Bumrah yorker to mid-off and ran for a single. There was a direct hit, but the Pakistan opener comfortably made it to the other end. There is a short stoppage in play, as Farhan appears to be in some discomfort.

Fakhar Zaman has used his experience to score this boundary. The southpaw jumped out of his crease, and Shivam Dube bowled a bouncer to surprise the batter. There was a lack of pace in it, and Fakhar smartly played an upper cut over short third man for four.

PAK 19/0 (3)

Sahibzada Farhan kept swinging his bat in the over of Jasprit Bumrah and managed to connect one for boundary. It was a slower ball from Bumrah and Farhan played a lofted shot over it on the off-side for the boundary. Seven runs came off the over.

Shivam Dube, who bowled four dot balls to Sahibzada Farhan, bowled a fuller delivery this time, and the batter smashed it well over mid-on for a boundary. This is how Pakistan went off the mark. The ball went high in the air before falling short of the boundary rope and running away for a four. A dot ball follows. That is a tidy start from Dube.

PAK 4/0 (1)

Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan are out there in the middle. Farhan will take strike. Shivam Dube is ready with the new ball in Hardik Pandya's absence. Pressure will surely be on the Indian all-rounder. Here we go... Dube starts with a good length ball outside off-stump. Farhan went for a drive but got an inside edge on it. A dot ball to start with!

India and Pakistan players line up for their respective national anthems. Pakistan start first, India will sing next. We have hardly five minutes left for the match to start. Are you ready for a high-octane India vs Pakistan clash?

An all-rounder of Hardik Pandya's calibre is simply irreplaceable, but the fact is that he misses out on the game tonight. India, however, still look like a formidable side. Shivam Dube will have added responsibility in the role of a fast-bowling all-rounder. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, as expected, is back in the team for the final, which boosts India's bowling attack.

India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (w), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

"Definitely happy to bat first. We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven't played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. Same side. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same," said Pakistan captain Salman Agha.

"We will bowl first. It looks a good wicket. The wicket gets better under lights. We have been batting well first but we would like to chase today. The groundsmen have done a terrific job with the wickets here. The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good. Unfortunately Hardik misses out," said India captain Suryakumar Yadav at the toss.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Rinku and Shivam Dube are in the playing XI, Suryakumar informed at the toss. He added that Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh would sit out.

Hardik Pandya misses out tonight's game. It has been confirmed by NDTV's sports editor Vimal Mohan. This is a huge blow for India as Hardik is too good in all three departments - batting, bowling and fielding.

Multiple reports are claiming that Hardik Pandya might miss out the game vs Pakistan tonight and it will be Rinku Singh, who will replace the all-rounder in India's XI. We wait for an official confirmation. Stay connected!

Asia Cup 2025 Super Four

India beat Pakistan by 6 wickets in Dubai

Asia Cup 2025 Group A

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Dubai

Champions Trophy 2025

India beat Pakistan by 6 wickets in Dubai

T20 World Cup 2024

India beat Pakistan by 6 runs in New York

Cricket World Cup 2023

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Ahmedabad

Asia Cup 2023

India beat Pakistan by 228 runs in Colombo

T20 World Cup 2022

India beat Pakistan by 4 wickets in Melbourne

India have won their most recent seven completed matches against Pakistan across formats. The winning streak that started in 2022 continued in the group stage and Super Four round of Asia Cup 2025. Will the final have a similar outcome or Pakistan turn things around?

Have a quick look at the players to watch out for in the India vs Pakistan final -

Abhishek Sharma: Without a doubt, the fiery Indian opener will be in focus during the game. The result of his face-off with Shaheen Afridi will play a huge role in deciding the fate of the match.

Jasprit Bumrah: Forget how the pacer has performed so far, Bumrah is a big-match player. The fast bowler has it all to shine in the final.

Shaheen Afridi: While the pacer has shone with his batting skills, his bowling has not been up to the mark. Like Bumrah, Shaheen, too, is a bowler for whom stats don't matter. His bowling in powerplay overs will be extremely crucial. 

Kuldeep Yadav: The batters have often found it difficult to read Kuldeep's deliveries on the tracks of UAE. It will be really interesting to see how Pakistan batters go against him. Will they take him on or give him the needed respect? Only time will tell us.

"Don't think there are many options to go for a change. They will play the same side. They are a very young side. They have dropped two best players and then suddenly want to build a team without much experience," said former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin during a discussion on NDTV.

India legend Kapil Dev, who was also there in the show, added, "It would have been different if Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were in the team. Sometimes you need experience and big players and they have done so well. But Pakistan are making a new team. So, good luck to them."

India Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Pakistan Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

"(With) Gautam Gambhir around, with so much of experience around, I don't think Suryakumar Yadav will have much pressure. A lot depends on fast bowler Shaheen Afridi but he is not in good bowling form. In fact, his batting is better than his bowling. So I don't think any much pressure," said former India pacer S Sreesanth on NDTV during a discussion that also had Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin and Nikhil Chopra.

Salman Agha-led Pakistan have won four of their six matches played so far in Asia Cup 2025. Interestingly, both their losses came against India. Have a look at the team's performance -

defeated Oman by 93 runs

lost to India by 7 wickets

defeated UAE by 41 runs

lost to India by 6 wickets

defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets

defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs

Citing the example of the Super 4 match vs Sri Lanka, former international player Atul Wassan was asked what India should do to restrict their opponents for a total of less than 200 in the final. He replied that Pakistan would never be able to reach that mark. "Pakistan is never going to get 200 runs. The India vs Sri Lanka match was an aberration. I never thought that we will go for (concede) 202 runs against Sri Lanka. We have got that one hiccup out of the way, but we are still unbeaten. We won the World Cup unbeaten. So we haven't lost a game yet. This is very good for the morale and if you go for the law of averages, I will just skip one more day," Wassan told NDTV on the eve of the final.

Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian cricket team is on a six-match winning streak in the ongoing Asia Cup. Have a look at the side's journey to the final -

defeated UAE by 9 wickets

defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets

defeated Oman by 21 runs

defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets

defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs

defeated Sri Lanka in Super Over

In six matches in the Asia Cup 2025 so far, Abhishek Sharma has emerged as the top run-getter. The southpaw has scored 309 runs at an average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 204.63, with three fifties and a best score of 75. All his half-centuries have come up in succession during the Super Four stage.

In-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who has scored  309 runs in Asia Cup 2025 so far, stands just 11 runs away from breaking Kohli's record of most runs by an Indian during a multi-nation T20I tournament. Back in 2014, Kohli had bagged the 'Player of the Tournament' award in the T20 World Cup, scoring 319 runs in six innings with four fifties at an average of 106.33.

The Dubai Police has issued guidelines for the fans going to watch the India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE. The guidelines are as follows: 

- Arrive at least three hours before kick-off

- One entry per valid ticket; re-entry is not permitted

- Follow stewards' instructions and all posted signage

- Park only in designated areas and avoid stopping in roadways

- Respect the list of prohibited items

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav missed the customary photoshoot with Pakistan captain Salman Agha ahead of the final. When Salman was asked about it, he said: "It is completely his call, whether he wants to come or not. I can't do anything in that."

The Indian cricket team is having a great form in the shortest format. The side has played 37 T20I matches since 2024 and won 34 of them. Three of the victories came in the Super Over. Pakistan face a huge challenge against their arch-rivals tonight.

#AsiaCup2025 Final | For the first time ever, India and Pakistan will square off in the final of the Asia Cup.
NDTV's @vimalsports reports from Dubai#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/Qzr7vMqkAs

— NDTV (@ndtv) September 28, 2025

In cricket, there's hardly a bigger game than India vs Pakistan, irrespective of the difference in quality of the two teams. India might be the favourites going into the final, but Pakistan can't be completely ruled out. To make the most of the hype around the game, cinema halls in India have given fans a unique opportunity to watch this high-profile contest on giant screens.

The Asia Cup 2025 final will be played on the same pitch on which the India vs Sri Lanka game was played in the Super 4s. That game turned out to be a high-scoring contest, requiring a Super Over to decide the winner. The final could also be a high-scoring contest. 

Pakistan are unlikely to make changes in the team despite repeated flop shows by certain players like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Abrar Ahmed. With 4 ducks in his last 6 matches, Ayub is under tremendous pressure to perform. The Asia Cup final against India might be his final opportunity. 

Pakistan's likely playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Four of India's six wins so far in the ongoing Asia Cup have been with the same playing XI. It would be no surprise if India resort to the exact combination for the final against Pakistan. That would mean pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah re-enters the team, along with all-rounder Shivam Dube.

The Asia Cup 2025 could potentially see its biggest controversy yet when the two teams arrive at the trophy presentation ceremony. It was earlier reported that India captain Suryakumar Yadav might not be keen to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi if they win the title. Team India are not expected to shake hands with Naqvi either.

Will Arshdeep Singh replace Hardik Pandya if the India all-rounder fails to get fit in time for the final? Here's a look at India's likely playing XI for today's match.

India's likely XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya/Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.

It has been learned that all 28,000 tickets for the India-Pakistan final in the Dubai International Stadium are sold out. The first two clashes between the two teams didn't see the stadium reach anywhere near its full capacity. But, for the final, the entire stadium is sold out.

India defeated Pakistan both times in their two previous meetings in the Asia Cup 2025 without much difficulty. Salman Ali Agha's men will be desperate to turn things around at the third time of asking.

For the first time ever, India and Pakistan will square off in the final of the Asia Cup. India have won the title a record 8 times, and are the reigning champions. On the other hand, Pakistan haven't won the trophy since 2012!

The two nations are also clashing for the third time in the space of two weeks.

IPL franchise RCB have made a post for the Asia Cup final with a clever '8 times' remark, referring to the 8 titles won by India till date. As has been the trend since the beginning of the Asia Cup, the IPL franchise didn't mention Pakistan anywhere in the post. 

8 times before, and hungry for more.
Wishing the defending champions 🇮🇳 all the very best as they play yet another Asia Cup final tonight. pic.twitter.com/lB6sdK5l7V

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 28, 2025

With injury concerns swirling around Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma - both suffered cramps in the last match against Sri Lanka - India may need to make some changes to the playing XI. Abhishek is closer to full fitness, but the same can’t be said for Hardik. Given the value Hardik brings to the team, the management will have its fingers crossed.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan from the Dubai International Stadium. 

The complete context of the post is yet to be known.