India produced a clinical bowling performance to dismantle Pakistan for just 146 runs in the final of the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium, setting themselves a modest target of 147 to clinch their ninth continental title.
Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, India’s decision paid immediate dividends, particularly in the latter half of the innings. Although Pakistan made a promising start, reaching 113/1 at one stage, the innings unravelled dramatically, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs in a staggering collapse that will haunt them for some time.
Openers Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35) looked solid early on, stitching together a strong partnership and negotiating the Powerplay with composure. Their efforts guided Pakistan to 87/1 at the halfway mark, and a total beyond 200 looked well within reach.
However, India’s spinners turned the tide during the middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav (3 wickets), Varun Chakravarthy (2 wickets), and Axar Patel (2 wickets) spun a web around Pakistan’s middle order, dismantling any momentum the batting side had built. From 113/1, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, failing to bat their full quota.
The collapse was nothing short of catastrophic. Barring the top three batters, no one else reached double figures. Mohammad Haris, Hussain Talat, and Shaheen Afridi all fell for ducks, and the middle-to-lower order succumbed meekly to India’s relentless pressure. Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two crucial wickets, removing Nawaz and Rauf to hasten the tail-end collapse.
The pitch, a bit on the slower side, seemed to offer some assistance to the spinners, but the Indian bowlers’ discipline and accuracy were the standout. The fielding was sharp too, with multiple catches taken in the outfield to back the bowlers up.
Now, with just 147 required to win, the onus shifts to India’s top order to handle the pressure of a final. Shaheen Afridi, who has been lethal with the new ball in recent matches, will be key for Pakistan. His duel with an in-form Abhishek Sharma could set the tone early on.
Although the target looks modest on paper, the weight of an Asia Cup final brings its own challenges. Pakistan will need a miracle with the ball to defend this total, while India will look to finish the job and lift yet another regional crown.
