Asia Cup 2025 final: What India can learn from CT17 final to avoid a repeat against Pakistan

For the first time in the 41-year-long history of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan will meet in the final of the tournament. The arch-rivals will lock horns with each other for a third time in the Asia Cup 2025, when they meet in the all-important summit clash at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Saturday, September 27.

Suryakumar Yadav-led India were the first to book their spot in the final as they qualified after beating Pakistan and Bangladesh in their first two matches in the Super 4. Despite suffering a slight slip-up against Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 clash on Friday, where they won in a Super Over, India remain unbeaten in the tournament so far and will be hoping to keep their winning run intact against Pakistan.

Pakistan, on the other hand, made it to the final despite facing two defeats against India in the group stage and the Super 4, respectively. After going down against India in their Super 4 opener, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in their next two games to secure a spot in the final and set up a third showdown with the arch-rivals.

Despite having enjoyed a dominant campaign and being the overwhelming favourites, considering the quality in their ranks, India shouldn't be making the mistake of taking Pakistan lightly in a final. Unpredictable at their best, Pakistan have the tools to hurt India and will be looking to give their all in the much-awaited summit clash. 

India's Asia Cup 2025 campaign has been quite similar to the impressive run they enjoyed in the Champions Trophy 2017, before losing to Pakistan in the final. The particular game also remains the last major final between the two teams. Inda will be hoping to learn from their mistakes in the past and avoid repeating them this time around.

After dominating throughout the tournament and beating Pakistan in the group-stage, India suffered a humiliating defeat against the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Men in Green in the final. Pakistan rode on Fakhar Zaman's brilliant 114 to post a strong total of 338 runs on the board, batting first in the final. In reply, India's chase never got off as they were bundled out for a paltry 158 despite Hardik Pandya's 76 to suffer a crushing defeat.

Don't put your foot off the pedal

India might have been the best team in the tournament so far, but they should not make the mistake of putting their foot off the pedal ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan. Suryakuamr Yadav & Co. were served a reality check by Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 game and should look to plug the gaps in their team.

While the middle order passed the test against Sri Lanka on Friday, India's bowling line-up failed to deliver. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana struggled as Sri Lankans made a mockery of the Indian pace attack. With Bumrah expected to return in the final, India will hope to produce a better effort with the ball to stop a high-flying Pakistan batting line-up.

The pressure remains inevitable

The pressure will be inevitable with stakes at an all-time high in the final. The last two meetings have been marred by controversies amid the no-handshake policy from India and provocative gestures from Pakistani players. However, India will have to ensure they soak in the pressure well and focus on cricket to come out on top in the summit clash.

There is rarely any other cricketing contest that involves the pressure of the magnitude of an India-Pakistan game. However, the recent tensions between the two teams have further spiced up the contest. India will be hoping to minimise their mistakes on the field and avoid letting emotions get the better of them in any scenario to give their best in the final.