DP World Asia Cup 2025 Final | India vs Pakistan – Full Match Highlights

Few rivalries in world sport come close to the intensity of an India vs Pakistan cricket match. Every clash is more than just a game—it’s history, passion, and pride wrapped together. The DP World Asia Cup 2025 Final, played at a jam-packed Dubai International Stadium, proved to be a contest worthy of the hype. Fans witnessed nerve-racking moments, breathtaking batting, fiery bowling spells, and edge-of-the-seat drama until the last over.

Toss and Early Expectations

On a sunny evening in Dubai, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. His decision was based on the dry pitch, expected to assist spinners later in the night. Both teams had walked into the final in red-hot form—India after a stunning semi-final win over Sri Lanka, and Pakistan after edging out Bangladesh in a thrilling encounter.

The atmosphere was electrifying, with nearly equal support for both nations in the stands. National flags waved, chants echoed, and the world waited for another classic in the greatest rivalry of cricket.

Pakistan’s First Innings: A Tale of Two Halves

Explosive Start

Pakistan began confidently, with Fakhar Zaman taking the attack to India’s new-ball bowlers. He smashed Mohammed Siraj for a couple of boundaries, while skipper Babar Azam played his trademark cover drives with elegance. The duo added 58 runs in the powerplay, giving Pakistan a solid platform.

Middle Overs Struggle

However, India’s spinners soon turned the tide. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Babar Azam lbw for 34, a breakthrough that silenced the Pakistani fans. Fakhar Zaman, after scoring a quick 45, fell to a brilliant running catch by Ravindra Jadeja. Suddenly, Pakistan was two down and rebuilding.

Mohammad Rizwan tried to anchor the innings but found it difficult against Hardik Pandya’s sharp short balls. The Indian bowlers bowled with discipline, drying up runs in the middle overs.

Late Fireworks

It was Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan who rescued Pakistan with a late flourish. Shadab hammered Jasprit Bumrah for two sixes in the 18th over, and Iftikhar added a quick 28 off 14 balls. Their efforts pushed Pakistan to a respectable 174/7 in 20 overs.

Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/27, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya kept things tight.

India’s Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride

Rohit and Gill Set the Tone

Chasing 175 in a high-pressure final is never easy, but Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looked unfazed. Rohit struck Shaheen Afridi for a six over midwicket in the very first over, sending a loud message. Gill complemented him with elegant strokes, and India raced to 65/0 after the powerplay.

Shaheen Strikes Back

Just as it looked like India would cruise, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck with a beauty, removing Rohit Sharma for 41. Naseem Shah followed up with the wicket of Gill, caught at slip for 37. Suddenly, from 65/0, India slipped to 82/2.

Kohli-Pandya Partnership

Virat Kohli, calm as ever in big matches, took charge. He built a steady partnership with Hardik Pandya, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. The pair added 56 runs, keeping India ahead in the chase. Kohli brought up a composed fifty, and the chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” roared across the stadium.

But the game was far from over—Shaheen Afridi returned to dismiss Pandya with a short ball, shifting momentum again.

The Final Twist

With 30 needed off 18 balls, the match was on a knife’s edge. Naseem Shah bowled a superb 18th over, giving away just 6 runs. India now required 24 off 12.

Virat Kohli struck a six off Haris Rauf in the 19th over, but was dismissed on the very next ball, caught at long-on for 72. The tension was unbearable as Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant walked in with 12 needed from the last over.

The Last Over Drama

Shaheen Afridi was handed the ball for the final over—Pakistan’s best bowler against India’s last hope.

• 1st ball: Jadeja squeezed a single to deep cover.

• 2nd ball: Pant attempted a scoop but got a boundary past fine leg. The crowd erupted.

• 3rd ball: Dot! Shaheen bowled a brilliant yorker, keeping Pakistan alive.

• 4th ball: Pant held his nerve and flicked for two runs. 5 needed off 2.

• 5th ball: Pant smashed a straight six! India sealed the Asia Cup in style!

India finished at 178/5 in 19.5 overs, clinching the DP World Asia Cup 2025 title.

Key Performances

• Virat Kohli (72 off 49) – Another masterclass in a high-pressure chase.

• Rishabh Pant (19 off 7)* – Calm under pressure, finishing the game with a six.

• Shaheen Afridi (3/32) – Pakistan’s best bowler, nearly winning it for his side.

• Bumrah & Kuldeep – Controlled the middle overs and prevented Pakistan from crossing 190+.

Post-Match Celebrations

The Indian players rushed onto the field as Pant struck the winning blow. Fireworks lit up the Dubai sky as Rohit Sharma lifted the trophy. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock, while Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spells earned him praise despite being on the losing side.

Babar Azam, in the presentation, admitted Pakistan was “15 runs short” but praised his bowlers for stretching the game till the very end. Rohit Sharma lauded his team’s composure under pressure and credited Pant for his fearless finish.

Why This Final Will Be Remembered

The 2025 Asia Cup final will be remembered as:

• A showcase of elite batting under pressure from Kohli and Pant.

• Another nail-biting India-Pakistan finish that kept fans glued until the last ball.

• A reminder of Shaheen Afridi’s ability to turn matches single-handedly.

• An example of cricket’s unpredictability—momentum swung multiple times before the final blow.

Above all, it reinforced why India vs Pakistan remains the most watched and emotionally charged rivalry in world cricket.

Conclusion

The DP World Asia Cup 2025 Final wasn’t just a cricket match; it was a spectacle of nerves, passion, and unforgettable drama. India emerged champions, but Pakistan walked away with pride for their fighting spirit.

For fans, this final was another addition to the long list of unforgettable India-Pakistan clashes—a reminder of why this rivalry will always be the heartbeat of Asian cricket.