Pakistan eye redemption against India in Asia Cup showdown

Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in the final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday (September 28), marking the first time the two sides will contest the tournament’s title match.

India, the defending champions, enter the final unbeaten after victories in both the group stage and the Super Fours, including two wins over Pakistan. The team has been spearheaded by opener Abhishek Sharma, the world’s top-ranked T20 batter, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy, the leading bowler in the format. Kuldeep Yadav leads the wicket-taking charts with 13 dismissals, while seamer Jasprit Bumrah has excelled in controlling the powerplay overs.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sealed their place in the final after overcoming Bangladesh by 11 runs in a Super Fours clash on September 25 in Dubai. Captain Salman Agha expressed confidence in his side’s ability to reverse their fortunes against India, stating, “We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone. We will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”

Tensions have surrounded the build-up to the final after Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for political remarks made following the September 14 group-stage match. He also faced criticism for declining a customary handshake at the toss.

This will be the sixth time Pakistan and India meet in the final of a multinational cricket tournament. Pakistan hold a 3-2 lead in such encounters, with notable victories including the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup, remembered for Javed Miandad’s last-ball six, and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. India’s triumphs include the 1985 World Championship of Cricket final in Melbourne and the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007.