Pakistan bowled out for 146 after momentous collapse in Asia Cup final against India

Pakistan batters are facing pressure as Indian spinners took back-to-back wickets in the Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Sahibzada Farhan has hit his second half-century of 35 balls against India.

However, Varun Chakaravarthy broke the opening partnership by dismissing Farhan. The opening batter went back to the pavilion after scoring 57 off 38.

Earlier, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan as the two teams stuck to no handshakes and cold vibes in the Asia Cup final on Sunday evening.

The two neighbours come into the title clash with tensions high from their previous two clashes in the competition, which witnessed political posturing and aggressive on-field behaviour at the same venue in Dubai.

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

Defending champions India and Pakistan are playing a final in the Asia Cup for the first time in the tournament's 41-year-old history.

India, who remain unbeaten in six matches of the Asia Cup, made three changes to the team from their previous win with all-rounder Hardik Pandya to sit out with injury.

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

Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh make the team in place of Pandya, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said he would have batted first anyway had he won the toss as his team come in unchanged from their previous win over Bangladesh.

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

India and Pakistan met in the regional contest played under the T20 format after deadly fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not played a bilateral series in over a decade.

The two only meet in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues as part of a compromise deal.
India comfortably won both their games in the tournament, but in the Super Four clash Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan mimicked a gun celebration after his half-century.

Pakistan pace bowler pacer Haris Rauf made gestures appearing to mock India's military action during the four-day border conflict in May that left more than 70 people dead.

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)

In the group match, Suryakumar had refused to shake hands with Pakistan's Agha and the two teams kept up the stance in the previous match.

India won the previous edition played in the 50-over format.

The Asia Cup is being widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

Teams

India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Umpires: Ahmad Shah Pakteen (AFG), Masudur Rahman (BAN)

TV Umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI)

Match Referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)

Agence France-Presse