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New Delhi: India will take on Pakistan in the final of the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 28. The arch-rivals will face each other in the Asia Cup final for the first time in 17 editions of the tournament. The Men in Blue are heading into the final unbeaten, defeating the UAE, Pakistan, and Oman in the group stage, and Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours stage.
On the other side, Pakistan won their opening group-stage game against Oman, but lost against arch-rivals India. Salman Agha and Co. defeated the UAE to qualify for the Super Fours stage. They lost their first Super Fours stage match to India, but won the next two against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to advance to the final.
Pakistan beat India by 180 runs in the final match of the 2017 Champions Trophy at the Kennington Oval in London. Defending a massive target of 338 runs, Pakistan bowled India out for 158 runs in 30.3 overs to lift their maiden Champions Trophy title.
Mohammad Amir removed the Indian top order cheaply, dismissing Rohit Sharma (0), Virat Kohli (5) and Shikhar Dhawan (21). Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja forged an 80-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but it didn't help the Men in Blue to cross the line. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman smashed his maiden ODI hundred after being caught off a no-ball in the fourth over of the innings, which was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.
Apart from Zaman (114), Azhar Ali (59), Mohammad Hafeez (57 not out), and Babar Azam (46) also contributed with the bat for their team. Pakistan lost their tournament opener against India, but looked like a completely different team in the summit clash. The Men in Blue played to their potential throughout the tournament but struggled against Pakistan's disciplined batting lineup and also failed to utilise the conditions completely. The Indian fielders also made several mistakes in the outfield, while bowlers failed to deliver in the crucial match.
Put into bat, Pakistan got off to a great start as Azhar and Zaman stitched a 128-run partnership for the first wicket in 23 overs before a running mix-up cost them a wicket. The Men in Blue got a much-needed breakthrough in the form of Azhar. Zaman, who got a lifeline at three runs by pacer Jasprit Bumrah, continued to play stunning shots and completed his hundred in 92 balls through a sweep at the square leg.
He added 72 runs with Babar Azam for the second wicket. Zaman tried to shift the gears, but Hardik Pandya removed him. After his dismissal, Babar took charge and played freely.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Malik as Kedar Jadhav took a simple catch at the deep cover in the 40th over. Middle-order batter Mohammad Hafeez then joined Babar, but the pair only managed to forge a 20-run partnership for the fourth wicket. In the last few overs, Hafeez and Imad Wasim thrashed Indian bowlers and forged a 71-run partnership as Pakistan posted 338 runs total on the board, which Virat and Co. failed to chase down.
