KEY POINTS
- The final in Dubai is the first time India and Pakistan face each other in the Asia Cup final in 41 years
- Pakistan has historically dominated finals against India, winning seven out of ten multi-nation tournament finals
ISLAMABAD: The Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28, marks a historic occasion, the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that India and Pakistan are facing off in the title clash.
While this matchup has long been anticipated, history suggests that India has struggled in finals against its arch-rival, often falling short despite being considered the favorite.
Record of Final Failures
India and Pakistan have met in a total of 10 multi-nation tournament finals, with Pakistan holding the edge, winning seven times compared to India’s three victories.
This stark statistic underscores the challenging history India faces when competing against Pakistan in high-stakes finals.
Past Final Encounters: A Look Back
1985 World Championship of Cricket (ODI)
India triumphed comfortably at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, winning by eight wickets. The match is remembered for Ravi Shastri’s all-round brilliance and India’s unbeaten run in that tournament.
1986 Austral-Asia Cup
Pakistan’s Javed Miandad famously hit a last-ball six to seal victory over India in Sharjah, a moment etched in cricket history.
1991 Wills Trophy (ODI)
Pakistan dominated, led by Zahid Fazal’s 98, and won convincingly, highlighting Pakistan’s growing prowess.
1994 Austral-Asia Cup
Pakistan’s Aamer Sohail starred with both bat and ball, defeating India by 39 runs in Dubai.
1998 Silver Jubilee Independence Cup
In a tense decider, India chased down 315 with key contributions from Sourav Ganguly and Robin Singh, avenging earlier losses.
1999 Pepsi Cup (ODI)
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Azhar Mahmood’s five-wicket haul, dismantled India’s batting line-up in Bangalore.
2007 ICC T20 World Cup
India’s Gautam Gambhir’s 75 helped set a defendable total, and Joginder Sharma’s final over sealed India’s first T20 World Cup victory, ending Pakistan’s hopes.
2017 ICC Champions Trophy
Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 114 set the tone as Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs, marking their biggest win in an ICC final.
The Road Ahead
With Pakistan leading in finals victories, India faces the daunting challenge of reversing this trend. The upcoming Asia Cup final on one hand, presents an opportunity for the Indian team to narrow the historic gap and claim a crucial victory against Pakistan on cricket’s biggest stage.
However, on the other hand, give an opportunity to Pakistan to wider the chasm of victory and to take revenge of the last two encounters of the Asia Cup 2025 played back-to-back Sundays.
While the 2025 final promises excitement, history reminds us that India’s record against Pakistan in finals has been disappointing. Fans will be eager to see if this trend continues or if India can finally break the jinx in Dubai.
While Pakistan will go in the middle confidently after watching the previous match of India and Sri Lanka in which Indian bowling line-up was exposed till the match was tied.
