Dubai, September 28, 2025: A measured half-century by Tilak Varma steered India to a hard-fought five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 147, India overcame a top-order collapse to seal the title in 19.4 overs, finishing at 147/5.
Pakistan’s pace attack gave them early hope as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Shah Afridi reduced India to 20/3 inside four overs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma (5), captain Suryakumar Yadav (1) and Shubman Gill (12).
But Varma stood tall under pressure. He first stitched a 57-run stand with Sanju Samson (24) before combining with Shivam Dube (33 off 22) for a crucial 60-run partnership that tilted the contest in India’s favour. Varma stayed unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls (4 sixes, 3 fours), calmly guiding his side home with two balls to spare.
For Pakistan, Faheem was the pick of the bowlers with 3/29, while Shaheen and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan looked set for a big total after an explosive 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35). But once Farhan was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, the innings collapsed.
Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) ripped through the middle order, supported by Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah with two wickets apiece, as Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs.
The result saw India crowned Asia Cup champions, extending their dominance over Pakistan in high-stakes encounters and underscoring their status as the region’s most consistent T20 side.
