By PALASH MAMTANEY

On Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, the Indian Cricket Team defeated the Pakistan National Cricket Team by 5 wickets in an intense, nailbiting match held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The match showcased not only excellent cricket but also dramatic scenes off the field, making it one of the most talked-about finals in recent memory.

India won the toss and made a smart decision to bowl first. During the powerplay, Pakistani batsmen started off strong. Sahibzada Farhan scored 57 runs from 38 balls, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 46 from 35 balls. At 113/1 after 13 overs, Pakistan looked set for a big score. However, India’s Kuldeep Yadav struck at crucial moments, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs and breaking Pakistan’s momentum. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel each picked up two wickets as the Pakistani middle order collapsed, eventually posting 146 all out in 19.1 overs. No other Pakistani batsman managed more than 20 runs as wickets tumbled in the last seven overs.

India’s chase started weak, with the team losing opener Abhishek Sharma, Shubhman Gill, and the skipper’s Suryakumar Yadav wickets early and only scoring 20 runs by the fourth over. The main damage was done by Pakistan’s pace baller Faheem Ashraf, putting India under serious pressure. Tilak Varma put the Indian team on the recovery, scoring an impressive 69 runs from 53 balls and keeping his wicket till the end. Key contributions came from Shivam Dube, who scored 33 from 22 balls, and Sanju Samson who scored 24 from 21 balls. India chased down the target, finishing at 150/5, in 19.4 overs with Rinku Singh hitting a boundary to secure the team a win. 

The post-match scenes were filled with unexpected drama. When the time came for the trophy presentation, Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and the Asian Cricket Council President. Naqvi ultimately took the trophy himself, leaving the winner’s ceremony in chaos. Indian players celebrated their victory without the trophy, even creating memes and photoshopped images as a keepsake of their triumph. Adding fuel to the fire, Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha threw the runner-up cheque in frustration after India’s refusal to acknowledge the trophy presentation. He called the scene disrespectful and said the whole incident exposed the deep tensions and ego clashes between the two cricketing nations. 

India’s victory brings them their ninth Asia Cup trophy, and the performances from Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma stand out. India has an unbeaten 10-0 record against Pakistan in Asia Cup matches. But the match will also be remembered for the off-field controversy and the emotional reactions on both sides, ensuring the 2025 Asia Cup final remains in headlines for weeks to come.

Featured image: Moneycontrol