India rout Pakistan to lift ninth Asia Cup crown

Riding on Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul and Tilak Verma’s half-century, India mauled Pakistan by five wickets in the politically-charged final to lift the ninth Asia Cup title.

The Asia Cup final lived up to its billing as the topsy-turvy match see-sawed on either side, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats. 

Defending an under-par score, Pakistan did make some inroads through their bowlers to spice up the match.

Dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma could not carry his momentum into the final as he was the first man to go. He spooned a simple catch to Rauf off Faheem Ashraf.

Out of form Indian captain Suryakumar and Shubman Gill followed in quick successions as India were 20/3 in four overs. Needing another 126 to win, India needed a big partnership.

Tilak Verma and Sanju Samson added 57 runs for the fourth wicket to tilt the game in India’s favour once again.

Samson was dropped, when batting on 12, by Talat off Abrar. He went to add another 12 runs to his personal score. Abrar broke the partnership but it was too late as the damage was done.

Pakistani and Indian players walk out before the start of the match. Reuters

India were 83/4 in 14 overs. Verma plundered 17 off Rauf to turn the table on Pakistan as India reached 100/4 in 15 overs. Verma and Dube took the match as deep as possible.

They added 60 runs to all but end Pakistan's hopes. Verma remained unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls as India went over the line with two balls remaining.

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav-led spinners staged a miraculous fightback as India brought down high-flying Pakistan.

Pakistan once again failed to capitalise on a blistering start as they lost wickets in bulk. Pakistan seemed to have run away with the match as they scored 84 runs in the first nine overs for no loss.

But Indian spinners not only put the brakes on the scoring but also obliterated them completely. They ripped through Pakistan's fragile middle-order.

After getting out to a flying start, Pakistan lost eight wickets in 33 runs in just 37 balls. It was Varun Chakravarthy, who triggered the collapse before Kuldeep got into his groove as India dominated the second half of the innings completely. 

Chakravarthy broke the dangerous-looking partnership as he had Farhan caught by Verma in the deep mid-wicket to bring respite to the Indian camp. Pakistan lost their first wicket for 84, their best opening stand against India in the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav (R) and Salman Agha stand on the field after the toss. AFP

After the departure of Farhan, Indian bowlers took control of the proceedings as they contained the flow runs. His dismissal opened the floodgates for Kuldeep.

Saim Ayub, who scored five ducks in the last seven matches and four in the tourney, again failed to exploit the wonderful platform.  He scored a laborious 14 – his second best in the Asia Cup – before holing out to Bumrah as Kuldeep opened his account.

Patel got rid of Mohammad Haris for a naught as Pakistan lost two wickets within a span of one run. Zaman was the next to go as he tried to slog Varun but could not get hold of the shot and Kuldeep completed a clean catch.

Pakistan were oblivious of the storm which was in store for them. Kuldeep, who had conceded 30 runs in his three overs for one wicket, bowled a historic last over.

He wreaked havoc in his fourth over with three dismissals. He had Agha caught by Samson, trapped Shaheen in front of stumps for a duck two balls later before Faheem Ashraf gave a simple catch to Verma as Pakistan lost the eighth wicket to be reduced to 134/8.

Indian and Pakistani players stand for the national anthems before the Asia Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. AP

Kuldeep’s chivalry rizzed up Pakistan, who were struggling to play full over as delulu looked only solulu for them.

Bumrah wiped off the tail as he rattled the stumps of Rauf before sending back Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan, who at one stage looked set for a total of 200, could muster only 146 all out in 19.1 overs.

Earlier, Pakistan began cautiously as Farhan played out the first three balls without scoring. He finally got off the mark with a boundary on the fifth delivery.

Both the openers showed maturity, not taking any undue risk as the game plan was evident – not to lose the wickets early.

As the match progressed both the batsmen grew in confidence. Farhan was leading the charge. He took 13 runs off Bumrah in the fourth over with the help of a six and four, forcing the Indian skipper for a bowling change. Varun was called into the attack. He bowled a tight over to keep the Pakistani batsmen calm.

Fakhar Zaman tried to clear the field inside the circle but lost the control, giving a half-chance to the fielder who jumped in the air but managed to get his hands on the ball only.

India's (L) and Pakistan's players stand for their national anthems before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 final Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP)

Despite Indian spinners coming on the attack Farhan kept the momentum going. He hit a six off Kuldeep in the seventh over to take 11 off it.

Both the batsmen kept the Indian bowlers at bay and kept the score board moving as Pakistan reached fifty in 6.5 overs without loss.

Farhan sprinted to his fifty with a couple in just 35 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. Indian bowlers had to find a way out to break the partnership.