Key Points:
- India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai International Stadium on September 28, 2025
- Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls earned him Player of the Match award
- Abhishek Sharma won Player of the Tournament with 314 runs and received a Haval H9 SUV
- Kuldeep Yadav claimed Most Valuable Player award with 17 tournament wickets
- Trophy presentation controversy as India refused to accept silverware from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi
- Pakistan collapsed from 113/1 to 146 all out, losing 9 wickets for just 33 runs
New Delhi: India secured their record-extending ninth Asia Cup title with a nail-biting five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the tournament final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The triumph marked India’s second T20 Asia Cup victory and their third consecutive win over Pakistan in the tournament.
Tilak Varma’s Match-Winning Performance
Tilak Varma emerged as the hero of the final, delivering a masterful unbeaten knock of 69 runs off 53 balls that included three fours and four towering sixes. Entering at a precarious 10/2, Varma displayed remarkable composure under pressure, anchoring India’s chase of 147 runs with two balls to spare.
“They were bowling well and varying the pace. I was trying to stay calm. Samson’s brilliant innings and Dube’s batting under pressure were crucial for the country,” Varma said after receiving the Player of the Match award. The left-handed batsman formed crucial partnerships, including a vital 60-run stand with Shivam Dube (33 off 22 balls) for the fifth wicket.
Abhishek Sharma’s Tournament Dominance
Young opener Abhishek Sharma capped off a stellar tournament by winning the Player of the Tournament award, accumulating 314 runs in seven innings with an explosive strike rate of 200. His six-hitting prowess was particularly impressive, as he smashed 19 sixes throughout the tournament, the most by any batsman.
As part of his prize, Sharma received a Haval H9 SUV along with USD 15,000. “Receiving a car is always a joy. It wasn’t easy for any opener to earn a place in this team after winning the World Cup. I worked very hard on my game and received support from the coach and captain from the very beginning,” Sharma explained.
The Punjab batsman credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for instilling confidence to play fearless cricket. “If I get a good start, my team will win. No matter who the fast bowler is, I start aggressively from the first ball,” he added.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Bowling Brilliance
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav proved instrumental in India’s victory, claiming the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding tournament performance with 17 wickets. In the final, Kuldeep delivered a sensational spell of 4/30, triggering Pakistan’s dramatic collapse.
The left-arm wrist spinner was particularly devastating in the middle overs, helping restrict Pakistan from a strong position of 113/1 to 146 all out. His four-wicket haul included three wickets in the space of an over, completely changing the momentum of the match. For his MVP performance, Kuldeep received USD 15,000 prize money.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse
Pakistan suffered a monumental batting collapse after a promising start from their opening pair. Sahibzada Farhan scored a brilliant 57 off 38 balls with five fours and three sixes, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 46 off 35 balls in an 84-run opening partnership.
However, Pakistan’s innings fell apart dramatically as they lost nine wickets for just 33 runs in their final seven overs. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah supported Kuldeep’s bowling effort, taking two wickets each to bundle Pakistan out for 146 in 19.1 overs.
Trophy Presentation Controversy
The post-match celebrations were overshadowed by unprecedented controversy when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained the decision: “We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the senior leaders of Pakistan. That was a conscious decision”. The Indian team had reportedly requested that Emirates Cricket Board vice chairman Khalid Al Zarooni present the trophy instead, but this was denied.
The presentation ceremony was delayed by over an hour before it was announced that the Indian team would not participate in receiving medals or the trophy. Players later celebrated on the field without the silverware, with captain Suryakumar Yadav performing a victory run as if holding the trophy.
Prize Money and Awards Distribution
India received USD 300,000 (approximately INR 2.5 crore) as champions, while Pakistan earned USD 75,000 as runners-up. The complete awards list included Shivam Dube winning the Game Changer of the Match award (USD 3,500), while Tilak Varma received additional recognition for hitting the most sixes in the final.
This victory marked India’s third consecutive win over Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, having previously defeated them in the group stage on September 14 and Super 4 stage on September 21. The tournament concluded with India’s dominant performance establishing them as the undisputed champions of Asian cricket.
