A historic final for Asia Cup
Dubai is all set to host a landmark chapter in cricket as Asia Cup 2025 culminates with a first-ever India vs Pakistan final. Scheduled for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the match promises high drama, long-standing rivalry, and a potential turning point in the Asia Cup’s history. After decades of cross-border contests across formats, this final marks the occasion where the Ind-Pak rivalry headlines a continental championship for the very first time.
Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly watching as two of the sport’s fiercest rivals prepare to clash on a neutral stage. The match brings together generations of memories—from memorable ODI duels to high-octane T20 battles—and adds a fresh, modern twist as both teams plot to add a continental crown to their trophy cabinets.
India vs Pakistan in international finals — a quick look
Even though Asia Cup 2025’s final is historic by itself, India and Pakistan have a long record of gripping finals against one another across formats. In a head-to-head tally in international finals until now, Pakistan has a slight edge with three wins to India’s two in those marquee showdowns. The notable clashes include:
- 1985: World Championship of Cricket final in Melbourne — India defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets.
- 1986: Austral-Asia Cup final — Pakistan won by 1 wicket.
- 1994: Austral-Asia Cup final — Pakistan won by 39 runs.
- 2007: ICC World Twenty20 final in Johannesburg — India won by 5 runs.
- 2017: Champions Trophy final — Pakistan upset India by 180 runs.
Asia Cup dominance: India vs Pakistan in the tournament
In the Asia Cup’s own history, India has generally held the edge in the modern era. By 2025 the rivalry in Asia Cup meetings has seen India win eight of the twelve matches, while Pakistan has four victories. This head-to-head trend underpins the anticipation around the 2025 final, especially given the growing strength of India in the shortest format and Pakistan’s ability to rally in big-moment games. The format of Asia Cup—often balancing ODI and T20 elements—adds an extra layer of tactical nuance to how each team approaches the final.
Projected XI for the final
India’s likely lineup
The management is looking to field a balanced eleven with a strong finishing core. Expected India XI: Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarti, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.
Pakistan’s probable XI
The Pakistan squad for a high-stakes final features a mix of batting depth and bowling power. Expected Pakistan XI: Sahibzade Farhan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Husein Talat, Muhammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Nawaz, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shahin Shah Afridi, Harris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
The bigger picture: a rivalry that transcends trophies
Beyond the trophy, the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan is a global cricketing event that draws attention from fans, media, and analysts around the world. It’s a showcase of talent, strategy, and nerve under pressure—elements that have defined the India-Pakistan rivalry for decades. Whoever lifts the trophy in Dubai will not only claim continental bragging rights but also write a fresh chapter in a story that continues to captivate cricketing nations.
