KEY POINTS
- Despite India’s unbeaten streak and strong head-to-head record, Pakistan’s recent form and strategic bowling give them a real shot
- Pakistan’s victories in Dubai and disciplined bowling in recent matches highlight their potential to challenge India.
- The final carries political tensions, adding extra significance beyond cricket, with a history of rivalry and limited bilateral series.
- Key players like Abhishek Sharma and Shaheen Shah Afridi could be decisive in shaping the outcome of this grand finale.
ISLAMABAD: Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai, the cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation and tension. India, unbeaten in the tournament and aiming for a record ninth title, faces a resilient Pakistan team seeking their third crown.
Despite India’s dominance in the tournament and a strong head-to-head record, recent performances suggest Pakistan might have the edge in this high-stakes clash.
Historical Context and Recent Form
India leads the head-to-head in T20Is with 12 wins out of 15 matches, including their last encounter in Dubai earlier this year. However, Pakistan’s two recent victories in Dubai, including their 2022 Asia Cup win, highlight their ability to challenge India on neutral grounds.
Pakistan’s recent form in the tournament has been promising, with four wins and only two losses, both against India, indicating they are peaking at the right time.
Tactical Outlook
Pakistan’s recent performances, especially their disciplined bowling in the last two matches, give them a tactical advantage. Their ability to adapt and perform under pressure, combined with their history of upsetting India in Dubai, makes them formidable opponents.
Political and On-Field Tensions
The final is not just a cricket match but also a symbol of rivalry overshadowed by political tensions. The absence of bilateral series for over a decade has only intensified the stakes, making this encounter more than just a game.
While India’s unbeaten streak and superior head-to-head record suggest favorability, Pakistan’s recent form, strategic bowling, and resilience position them as genuine contenders to cause an upset.
As the teams prepare for battle, cricket fans can expect a fiercely contested final that could redefine the narrative of this historic rivalry.
Head-to-Head in T20Is
Since the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan have faced off 15 times. India has won 12 encounters, including the first match in 2007, which was tied and decided via Super Over. Notably, two of Pakistan’s three wins occurred in Dubai.
Key Players to Watch
India: Young opener Abhishek Sharma has made a significant impact with a high strike rate of 198 in T20s, including two centuries and five half-centuries, with recent performances in Asia Cup 2025 highlighting his potential.
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi has regained form, delivering crucial wickets in the tournament, including a standout performance against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Despite a quiet spell against India, his overall impact remains vital.
Current Form
India: Unbeaten in the Asia Cup and without a T20 series loss since their 2024 World Cup victory, India’s recent results are all wins.
Pakistan: Their form has been mixed, with only losses coming against India, but they have secured four wins in this tournament.
India line-up:
Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan predicted line-up:
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
