Cricket Kitchen

India and Pakistan to Face Each Other in Asia Cup Final for the First Time in History

September 26, 2025

 

Kathmandu – India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the Asia Cup final for the first time in the tournament’s history.

In the ongoing ACC T20 Asia Cup being held in the UAE, both India and Pakistan secured the top two positions in the Super Four stage, thereby earning their spots in the final.

Pakistan confirmed their place in the final after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a crucial match on Thursday.

India had already secured their place in the final with two consecutive wins, even before their upcoming match against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Since the inception of the Asia Cup in 1984, India and Pakistan have never met in a final across the previous 16 editions.

India has won the Asia Cup title 8 times (1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2023), while Pakistan has won it twice, in 2000 and 2012.

Previously in this tournament, India had defeated Pakistan in both the group stage and the Super Four stage.

The final, set to be held on Sunday at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, is being viewed as a highly significant clash between the two rivals.

A few months ago, tensions escalated between the two nations after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, leading to a brief military conflict.

Following that incident, Indian players have reportedly refused to even shake hands with the Pakistani team. This has added even more intensity and political significance to Sunday’s final.