Dubai, September 28, 2025 — In a pulsating climax to the 2025 Asia Cup, India edged out their arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets to secure their ninth overall title, but the victory will be remembered as much for the drama off the field as on it.
Tournament Overview & Road to the Final
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup, officially branded the “DP World Asia Cup 2025,” took place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, in the T20I format.
Eight teams competed — the five full ACC members (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and three qualifiers (UAE, Oman, Hong Kong).
India, entering as defending champions, remained unbeaten through the group stage and Super Fours. In the penultimate match, they defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs — Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive 75 and a disciplined bowling performance (Kuldeep Yadav 3/18) sealed their place in the final.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s pathway included a landmark victory over Bangladesh — their first ever in Asia Cup history — to set up the final showdown with India.
The Final — A Match to Remember
Held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the final carried immense historical and emotional weight. It was the first Asia Cup final ever between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan, batting first, posted 146 all out in 19.1 overs. Their innings crumbled from a strong start; they were 113 for 1 but lost their last nine wickets for just 33 runs. Kuldeep Yadav led India’s spin charge with figures of 4/30.
In reply, India lurched into early trouble at 10 for 2, but Tilak Varma (69*, 53 balls) anchored the chase. A vital partnership with Shivam Dube (33 off 22) turned the tide, and Rinku Singh sealed the win with a boundary off the penultimate ball.
India closed at 150/5 in 19.4 overs, clinching the win with just two balls to spare.
Varma was declared Man of the Match .
Off-Field Drama: Trophy Refusal & Politics
The post-match ceremony turned controversial. Indian players refused to accept the trophy or their medals from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both Pakistan’s Interior Minister and President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The ACC subsequently canceled the formal presentation and removed the trophy and medals from the stage.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav commented that his team had been “denied” the trophy, and that the real reward was the performance and unity of the squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signaled intent to lodge a formal protest with the ICC.
This was not the first tense moment between the two teams: Indian players had also avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts throughout the tournament.
Milestones & Awards
Category Detail
Asia Cup Title Count (all formats) 9 — India extends its lead in Asia Cup history.
Player of the Series Abhishek Sharma, with 314 runs across the tournament
Most Wickets Kuldeep Yadav, 17 wickets
Runner-up Pakistan
Final Venue Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Former Indian cricketers praised the performance. VVS Laxman described the victory as borne of “courage and belief,” while Ravi Shastri lauded the composure and maturity of India’s younger players.
Asia Cup 2025: Mohsin Naqvi Under Fire for Trophy Presentation Act
Asia Cup 2025 concluded with a thrilling finale, but the spotlight quickly shifted from the players to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is facing backlash over his role in the trophy presentation ceremony. Critics argue that Naqvi overshadowed the winning team by taking center stage during the handover, with many fans and former cricketers expressing disappointment that the players’ moment of glory was diluted. The controversy has sparked widespread debate on social media, with calls for sports administrators to respect the spirit of the game and allow athletes to remain the true focus of such historic occasions. Naqvi has yet to officially respond to the criticism.
Looking Ahead
The Asia Cup 2025 confirmed India’s dominance in regional cricket, but it also underscored how geopolitics can cast a long shadow over sport. The refusal to accept the trophy punctuated the already heated backdrop of relations between India and Pakistan, especially in light of the military tensions earlier this year.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP News, NDTV profit, Business Standard Times of India
etc.) transparently.]
