India’s Tilak Varma (L) celebrates their vicotry during the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket final match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)India’s chase started on a tense note as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi dismantled the top order, reducing the Men in Blue to 20/3 inside the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill fell cheaply, intensifying the pressure.
Tilak Varma’s composed innings, alongside vital partnerships with Sanju Samson and later Shivam Dube, steadied India. Varma reached a well-crafted half-century, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike while Dube’s explosive hitting accelerated the chase.
Rinku Singh, brought in for Hardik Pandya, made a swift impact, striking at a phenomenal rate, hitting crucial boundaries, and keeping India on track in the final overs. The duo’s calm approach and strategic batting ensured India crossed the line with 10 balls to spare.
Post-match reactions highlighted the team’s resilience. Shubman Gill praised the understanding and chemistry with Abhishek Sharma, while Kuldeep Yadav emphasized India’s spin strength and strategic bowling in middle overs. Varun Chakravarthy and coach Morne Morkel credited smart field placements, tactical bowling changes, and experience for turning the game in India’s favor.
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf faced setbacks in the death overs, conceding key runs, including a decisive six from Tilak Varma that sealed the match. Despite a disciplined bowling effort earlier, Pakistan fell short in defending the low total.
This final marks the third meeting between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup, with India dominating all encounters. Their consistent performances, strategic partnerships, and ability to handle pressure underscored the Men in Blue’s supremacy in the tournament.
