The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai lived up to every bit of its hype, delivering a nail-biting contest between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. In the end, it was Tilak Varma’s calm, composed batting and Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell that powered India to their ninth Asia Cup title with a 5-wicket win and just two balls left.
Pakistan’s Bright Start and Sudden Collapse
Pakistan began strongly with Sahibzada Farhan notching up a gritty half-century and leading them to 113/1 in just 12 overs. The momentum, however, crashed dramatically when Kuldeep Yadav turned the game on its head. The left-arm wrist spinner struck repeatedly, picking up 4 for 30, triggering a collapse where Pakistan lost nine wickets for just 33 runs. From looking set for 170-plus, Pakistan folded for 146 in 19.1 overs.
India’s Nervy Chase
India’s chase was far from smooth. The top order stumbled with Abhishek Sharma, skipper Suryakumar Yadav, and Shubman Gill dismissed cheaply. At 36/3, Pakistan sensed an upset. But Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a mature 69 not out, supported by Sanju Samson and later Shivam Dube, who chipped in with a quick 33.
The chase went deep, with India needing 10 off the final over. Tilak held his nerve, striking a six and rotating the strike before Rinku Singh sealed victory with a boundary on his very first ball of the tournament.
The Deciding Factor: Death Overs
The game swung entirely in the death overs. Pakistan, despite dominating the powerplay and middle phases, managed just 18/6 in the last five overs, while India accelerated with 50/1 in the same period. That stark difference proved decisive in the final outcome.
Key Performances
- Kuldeep Yadav: 4/30 – Sparked the collapse that crippled Pakistan.
- Tilak Varma: 69* – The anchor and finisher for India’s chase.
- Shivam Dube: 33 – Crucial support role in the death overs.
- Sahibzada Farhan: 57 – The lone standout in Pakistan’s batting.
Final Scorecard
- Pakistan: 146 all out in 19.1 overs (Farhan 57, Zaman 46; Kuldeep 4-30, Axar 2-26)
- India: 150/5 in 19.4 overs (Tilak 69*, Dube 33; Ashraf 3-29, Afridi 1-20)
India clinched the 2025 Asia Cup by 5 wickets, extending their dominance in the tournament’s history and proving once again why they thrive under pressure.
