ISLAMABAD: India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in the final of the Twenty20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with Suryakumar Yadav’s side holding nerves to retain the tournament’s title.
India won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat, with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman providing an opening stand of 84 runs. But Pakistan failed to build the momentum and were restricted to 146 all-out in 19.1 overs.
Pakistan slipped from 113-1 and lost nine wickets for just 33 runs. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav dismissed 4 for 30 runs, while Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube hit 33 to guide India to victory.
“India win the Asia Cup 2025 Final in an absolute thriller against Pakistan,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) wrote on X after the match.
India’s start was rather wobbly as they lost in-form opener Abhishek Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav within the first 10 deliveries of their innings. They slumped to 20-3 after the exit of Shubman Gill, but Varma and Sanju Samson decided to rebuild the innings.
