IND vs PAK Controversy LIVE Updates, Asia Cup 2025 Winners: Suryakumar Yadav on PM Modi’s support, ‘it felt like he took the strike and…’

Jasprit Bumrah opens the over to Fakhar Zaman with an in-swinging delivery on a back-of-a-length line. The ball clips the pads and rolls into the on-side, allowing Pakistan to pick up a leg bye.

After the first over, Pakistan have scored 4 runs without losing a wicket. Sahibzada Farhan leads the scoring with 4 runs off 6 balls, including a boundary, while Fakhar Zaman remains yet to open his account. Shivam Dube finishes his opening over conceding 4 runs. The current run rate stands at 4.00.

Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Farhan gets off the mark in style, smashing a full, floaty delivery outside off over mid-on and all the way to the fence. First runs on the board for Pakistan at the fifth ball of the over.

Shivam Dube continues against Sahibzada Farhan. The second ball, a length delivery just outside off, skids on slightly. Farhan, caught on the crease, stabs at it and scuffs it back toward the bowler.

Shivam Dube starts the proceedings against Sahibzada Farhan. The first ball of the match yields no run, as both players settle into the contest.

India have continued their dominance in T20 cricket, having won all 33 completed T20Is that Shivam Dube has played in since December 2019. This remarkable streak adds extra confidence for the Men in Blue ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, reinforcing their status as clear favorites.

The players are lined up for the pre-match ceremony as Pakistan’s anthem plays first, followed by India’s, setting the tone for the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 final. The atmosphere is electric, with fans from both sides eagerly watching their teams. This moment underscores the historic first Asia Cup final clash between India and Pakistan in 41 years.

Jasprit Bumrah reflected on India’s journey in the Asia Cup 2025, noting the uniqueness of facing Pakistan three times in one tournament. On his new role opening the bowling in the powerplay, he said it’s a different challenge, requiring adaptation and focus. Bumrah emphasized starting every game from zero, backing the confidence of India’s youngsters, and focusing on team strengths and combinations rather than worrying about opposition reputation. He credited experience in the IPL for helping young players thrive under pressure in high-stakes matches.

Both India and Pakistan are approaching the pitch differently, shaped by their bowling strengths. Pakistan experimented with a spin-heavy attack earlier in the tournament but pivoted to rely more on pace, and it has worked well so far. Whichever side reads the conditions better could gain the upper hand in the Asia Cup 2025 final.

India’s toss decision to bowl first comes with a tactical twist. Hardik Pandya’s absence has affected the team’s balance, prompting the Men in Blue to strengthen their batting rather than add another pacer. As a result, Shivam Dube might share the new-ball duties, with Axar Patel as another option. Axar is now expected to bat at No. 8, showcasing India’s impressive batting depth.

Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan captain, said after the toss, “Definitely happy to bat first. We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven’t played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. Same side. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same.” Pakistan will look to set a challenging total on a pitch that has favored the chasing side in previous T20Is at Dubai.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

It’s toss time at Dubai! India and Pakistan have each played five T20Is at this venue, with all victories going to the chasing side. Captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav are out for the toss. Suryakumar calls the pitch “a good wicket” with minimal wear, adding that India must continue their brand of cricket. Heads or tails? Tails it is. India will bowl first. Injury blows for India: Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh miss out, while Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube come into the XI.

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy

India to bat first. Expect Abhishek Sharma to dominate with a 100+ score, pushing India to around 260. Pakistan could get off to a brisk start with Fakhar Zaman, but may ultimately fold in the 150s.

Times have certainly changed since the late 1980s and 1990s. Back then, a generation of fans still remembers Javed Miandad’s iconic last-ball six off Chetan Sharma at Sharjah. Pakistan used to dominate India, and any victory for the Men in Blue felt like a rare upset. Fast forward to today, and the roles are reversed—India have emerged as the dominant force with a well-rounded, formidable team, while Pakistan search for answers. Recent head-to-head results heavily favor India, making them clear favorites heading into the Asia Cup 2025 fina

The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan will be played on the same centre pitch that hosted the previous two India-Pakistan clashes. With a hot day in Dubai, the covers stayed on until about two hours before the toss. Since then, the twice-used pitch has seen plenty of rolling and is expected to play true for the first 10 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy had previously noted that it tends to slow down significantly in the second innings, which could influence batting strategies in this high-stakes final

Rinku Singh was spotted out as the first Indian player on the field, immediately grabbing attention. Unlike his usual warm-ups with other squad members, he carries a bat, bows as he crosses the boundary, surveys the pitch, and takes a few throwdowns in the outfield. A different routine from the norm, this could hint at a focused approach for today’s Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan

Pictures from the ground suggest a fresh pitch, ideal for batting. Pakistan is reportedly going with the same XI as their last match. There was speculation about Hasan Nawaz replacing Talat, but given Hasan’s struggles against spin, Pakistan may prefer to stick with Talat, who also offers handy bowling options. With India expected to bowl several overs of spin, this could be a decisive factor in the middle overs, testing Pakistan’s adaptability and batting depth.

Abhishek Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi: Could define India’s innings. Kuldeep Yadav vs Pakistan middle-order: Critical for wickets in middle overs.

Hardik Pandya has walked onto the field to huge cheers. No warm-ups for him yet—he’s just hanging around in non-bowling shoes, soaking in the atmosphere before the big clash.

The gulf between India’s top scorer and the rest has been massive this Asia Cup. Abhishek Sharma has piled up 309 runs at a stunning strike rate of 204.63, while the next best, Shubman Gill, sits at 115 runs with a strike rate of 155. That gap makes this final all the more intriguing—Pakistan will surely be eyeing Abhishek’s wicket early, though India have the depth to absorb a setback if their star opener falters.

The Indian squad is already into stretches and warm-ups, while Pakistan’s players keep it light with a game of football. Abhishek Sharma, who had a minor cramp scare earlier, is batting on the side and looks good to go. Hardik Pandya has stepped onto the field to a roar from the stands, as SKY, Gautam Gambhir gather near the pitch for a long chat.

There is no doubt that Pakistan would have worked tirelessly to chalk out multiple strategies to dismiss Abhishek Sharma early. He has been India’s most dangerous batter this Asia Cup, and his wicket will be their top priority. But even if Abhishek falls cheaply, India have the depth and balance to rise as a team. Fans will hope the Men in Blue put on yet another collective performance and lift the trophy tonight.

India versus Pakistan—never before has the Asia Cup seen these rivals clash in the final. Forty-one years in the making, tonight’s game will either reinforce India’s dominance or remind the world that a peaking Pakistan, thriving in chaos, can be just as dangerous.

India and Pakistan have never faced each other in an Asia Cup final before. Despite India defeating Pakistan twice in this edition, all that matters now is tonight’s high-stakes showdown.

With the Asia Cup 2025 final marking the 26th match at the Dubai International Stadium this year, the pitches have seen significant wear, bringing the average first-innings score down to 154—the lowest since 2022. Despite this, Dubai continues to favor teams chasing, with 58% of matches won by sides batting second.

The wear has also slightly tilted the advantage toward spinners. They average 24 with the ball, while seamers are around 25, but it is the economy rate that makes the difference—spinners concede 1.3 fewer runs per over, giving them the edge in controlling the middle overs.

Fast Bowlers: Average – 24.72 | Economy Rate – 8.39

Spin Bowlers: Average – 24.01 | Economy Rate – 7.07

Spinners have been slightly more economical this tournament, while pacers have delivered crucial breakthroughs at key moments. Teams often rely on spin in the middle overs to control the scoring rate.

Average 1st Innings Score:

2022: 164.64

2023: 154.33

2024: 158.32

2025: 153.92

The Dubai pitch has generally favored disciplined batting, with first-innings totals ranging between 154-165 over the last four years. Teams batting first have had a slight edge, but matches often remain competitive due to dew in evening games.

Kuldeep Yadav (IND): 6 matches, 13 wickets, best 4/7, strike rate 9.77

Junaid Siddique (BAN): 3 matches, 9 wickets, best 4/18, strike rate 6.00

Shaheen Afridi (PAK): 6 matches, 9 wickets, best 3/17, strike rate 13.89

Mustafizur Rahman (BAN): 6 matches, 9 wickets, best 3/20, strike rate 15.33

Haris Rauf (PAK): 4 matches, 9 wickets, best 3/33, strike rate 9.78

Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): 6 matches, 8 wickets, best 2/22, strike rate 18.00

Saim Ayub (PAK): 6 matches, 8 wickets, best 3/35, strike rate 12.75

Rishad Hossain (BAN): 5 matches, 8 wickets, best 2/18, strike rate 12.00

Taskin Ahmed (BAN): 4 matches, 8 wickets, best 3/28, strike rate 12.00

Dushmantha Chameera (SL): 6 matches, 7 wickets, best 2/29, strike rate 20.57