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DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s fighting spirit despite their defeat to India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.

India outplayed Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller, a game that saw ups and downs from both sides.

The Men in Blue chased down the target of 147 runs on the fourth ball of the final over, with Tilak Varma starring. The left-hander played a gutsy knock under pressure and scored an unbeaten 69 from 53 balls.

Pakistan endured the same middle-order collapse after Sahibzada Farhan’s and Fakhar Zaman’s strong opening partnership of 84 runs.

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Despite a strong foundation, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, thanks to Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic, who picked up a four-wicket haul, including a three-wicket over.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha expressed his disappointment over the defeat and rued the middle-order collapse after a strong opening foundation.

“It is tough pill to swallow. We could not finish well in the batting. Bowling, we gave everything. If we could have finished well, it would have been a different story. We could not rotate the strike properly and we lost too many wickets,” he said.

“That was the reason we could not score what we wanted. We have to sort out our batting very soon. They bowled really well, outstandingly well,” he added

He further emphasized the last six overs of the match while pointing out batting flaws.

“They needed 63 off six overs, I thought we had the game. The bowlers bowled really well, we have to give them credit, but the batting was a concern. Very proud. We fought really well. We are proud as a team. So much to look forward to, we will improve and come back stronger,” he concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025 final presentation ceremony delayed following India’s victory

DUBAI: The presentation ceremony for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final has been delayed after India triumphed over Pakistan on Sunday here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

According to reports, the delay has been due to India’s refusal to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.

On 17 September, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had requested that if his side wins the Asia Cup 2025, he does not want the trophy to be presented to him by Mohsin Naqvi.

The development came after India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final by five wickets.

Set 147, India chased down the target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

Pakistan pacers ripped through India’s top order as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi combined to rattle the defending champions.

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Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Varma particularly nudged the balls for a single and eased pressure. Samson, on the other hand, was looking good. He got a reprieve in the ninth over as Hussain Talat dropped a sitter.

Yet, he departed after making 24 from 21 balls with the help of two fours and a six. At this stage, India were 77-4 in 12.4 overs.

The game was evenly poised at this stage, with India requiring 69 from 42 balls. However, Tilak Varma’s presence at the crease and some sloppy fielding and tactical errors from Pakistan put India on top.

Haris Rauf’s 17 yielded 17 runs from the 15th over, which tilted the game in India’s favor.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf picked up three wickets.

READ: Kuldeep Yadav opens up after India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph

DUBAI: Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav shared his thoughts after India ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph over Pakistan here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

India chased down the partly 147-run target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

The architects of India’s win were Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav. Varma showed his batting prowess under pressure, scoring a 69 from 53 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours.

Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, took four wickets, including three in an over, which derailed Pakistan’s batting lineup. As a result, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Kuldeep Yadav highlighted Pakistan’s collapse despite a strong start.

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“It is very important to bowl in the middle overs. We (the spinners), playing together, it is a luxury to have. Everyone has a different role. They started really well. After 10-11 overs, they were 100-1,” he said.

‘We knew if we could get a couple of wickets, then it was not going to be easy for the new batter to come in and score runs,” he added.

He also praised Tilak Varma for his knock, while revealing that he had spoken with the bowler Hari Prasad Mohan about bowling lengths.

“When I was bowling the first over, I was trying to get them out. Before the game, he just send the screenshot of the lengths where we had to bowl to the batters, and big thanks to Hari. And a masterclass from Tilak – he was unbelievable today,” he said.

READ: Tilak, Kuldeep star as India defeat Pakistan to clinch Asia Cup 2025

DUBAI: Pakistan opener batter Sahibzada Farhan registered a unique milestone as he became the only batter to hit Jasprit Bumrah for three sixes in the T20Is during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final.

Farhan, who became the first Pakistani batter to hit a six off Jasprit Bumrah in international cricket, has now become the only batter overall to hit three sixes off the pacer in T20Is.

Earlier, he showcased his batting prowess over Bumrah during the group-stage match of the Asia Cup 2025, held on September 14, where he cleared the boundary twice.

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The first six was hit on the third delivery of the fourth over when Farhan skillfully judged a good-length delivery from Bumrah that was angling in, sending it soaring over the long-on boundary.

He struck again on the third delivery of Bumrah’s next over, launching a short-pitched delivery that was also angling in over backward square.

In the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 final, Farhan continued his assault on Bumrah, hitting one six and a four.

He started cautiously, facing two dot balls and then running for a couple of singles before lofting a boundary over cover.

When Bumrah bowled his next over, Farhan crunched with another four over midwicket, followed by a massive six over mid-off, ultimately scoring 12 runs off Bumrah in that over.

He eventually departed after scoring 57 from 38 balls, smashing three sixes and five fours.

READ: Asia Cup Final: Former England cricketer warns India of ‘unpredictable’ Pakistan

DUBAI: Tilak Verma’s crafty knock and Kuldeep Yadav’s magic with the ball helped India seal victory against Pakistan in a last-over thriller in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final here on Sunday.

Set 147, India chased down the target on the fourth ball of the last over, losing five wickets in the process.

Pakistan pacers ripped through India’s top order as Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi combined to rattle the defending champions.

Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Varma particularly nudged the balls for a single and eased pressure. Samson, on the other hand, was looking good. He got a reprieve in the ninth over as Hussain Talat dropped a sitter.

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Yet, he departed after making 24 from 21 balls with the help of two fours and a six. At this stage, India were 77-4 in 12.4 overs.

The game was evenly poised at this stage, with India requiring 69 from 42 balls. However, Tilak Varma’s presence at the crease and some sloppy fielding and tactical errors from Pakistan put India on top.

Haris Rauf’s 17 yielded 17 runs from the 15th over, which tilted the game in India’s favor.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf picked up three wickets.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman provided a strong start, but the innings unraveled once again as a familiar middle-order collapse led to Pakistan’s innings being folded for a modest total.

Put into bat first, Pakistan could not capitalize on a strong start as their innings folded on a mere 146-run total in  19.1 overs.

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman started strong with an 84-run stand. The duo batted cautiously and ended the powerplay on a strong note with Pakistan 45-0.

Sahizbada remained the core aggressor and reached his half-century off 35 balls while Fakhar played the second fiddle.

The partnership eventually culminated with Farhan’s wicket, who made 57 from 38 balls, striking three sixes and five fours.

Yet, Pakistan were in a strong position to score a strong total with Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman adding 29 runs to the total. However, the former wicket on the fifth ball sparked a collapse that the Green Shirts could not recover from.

Saim perished to Kuldeep, managing 14 from 10, whereas Axar Patel ended Mohammad Haris ‘ two-ball stay at the crease. The wicket-keeper could not open his account.

In the next over, Fakhar tried to charge after hitting Varun Chakravarthy for a six and ended up losing his wicket. The soutpaw scored 46 from 35 with the aid of two sixes and two fours.

As a result, Pakistan slumped to 126-4. The situation was still manageable for Pakistan to post a good score with skipper Salman Ali Agha ( 8) and Hussain Talat (1) at the crease. However, Kuldeep Yadav picked three wickets in an over, which bundled them out for a modest total.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav picked up a four-wicket haul, whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up two wickets each.

READ: Asia Cup Final: Former England cricketer warns India of ‘unpredictable’ Pakistan

DUBAI: India have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Sunday.

Playing XIs

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

Both teams have faced each other 15 times in the T20I format. The Men in Blue have won 12 out off 15 encounters, whereas Green Shirts have only managed to secure three wins.

For context, Pakistan and India are set to face each other for the third time in the Asia Cup 2025. In both of the previous clashes, India comprehensively defeated Pakistan in one-sided affairs.

READ: Asia Cup Final: Former England cricketer warns India of ‘unpredictable’ Pakistan

DUBAI: Former England spinner Monty Panesar has warned India to not underestimate Pakistan ahead of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.

Pakistan and India will lock horns in the continental tournament final for the first time, marking a historic game between the arch-rivals.

India have played dominantly throughout the tournament, entering the summit clash as an unbeaten side. They have comprehensively defeated Pakistan in both of their earlier matches in this tournament.

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Nonetheless, Monty Panesar has warned India that the final could bring out a different version of Pakistan.

“Pakistan is a dangerous team. They’ve got nothing to lose. In a final, they could play their best cricket, even though India has been the most consistent team throughout the tournament. India needs to be really mindful,” Panesar said.

He also underscored Pakistan’s unpredictability and warned India against complacency.

“Pakistan is probably not as strong as it once was, but on its day, it can still beat India. They must be careful not to become too complacent,” he remarked.

Asia Cup 2025 Squads

Pakistan: Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.

READ: Dubai Police issue security plan for Pakistan-India Asia Cup Final

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket team is likely to retain a settled playing XI as they prepare for the high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The management is unlikely to tinker with the line-up that delivered wins in the Super Four stage against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Sources confirm there is little chance of recalling young batter Hasan Nawaz, who was dropped after the earlier clash with India.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

In positive news, pacer Haris Rauf has regained full fitness and is available for selection in the title decider.

India, meanwhile, are expected to strengthen their side by recalling Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube. Both missed the last Super Four match against Sri Lanka, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana likely to make way.

The much-anticipated showdown will mark the first-ever Asia Cup final between the arch-rivals in the tournament’s 41-year history. Since its inception in 1984, the continental event has witnessed 15 finals, but never a Pakistan–India title clash.

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Pakistan have featured in five Asia Cup finals, lifting the trophy twice and finishing runners-up three times, most recently to Sri Lanka in 2022.

Meanwhile, India remain the competition’s most successful team, with eight titles from 11 final appearances.

Pakistan likely Playing XI for Asia Cup final against India

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

READ: Dubai Police issue security plan for Pakistan-India Asia Cup Final

DUBAI: The Dubai Police have announced stringent security measures for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final between Pakistan and India, scheduled for Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

In an advisory, authorities urged spectators to arrive at least three hours before the start of play to avoid congestion. Each ticket will allow only a single entry, with no re-entry permitted once a fan exits the venue.

The guidelines include a ban on flammable materials, weapons, laser pointers, fireworks, glass items, tripods, and selfie sticks.

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Political banners and unauthorised placards have also been prohibited. Police appealed to fans to cooperate fully with security staff to ensure the contest is enjoyed in a festive yet safe environment.

Meanwhile, organisers confirmed that all 28,000 tickets for the historic clash have sold out, with demand far surpassing previous fixtures.

The group-stage meeting drew 20,000 spectators, while the Super Four encounter saw 17,000 in attendance.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

The final, however, marks the first-ever Asia Cup title showdown between the arch-rivals in the tournament’s 41-year history.

Pakistan sealed their place in the decider with a tense 11-run win over Bangladesh on September 25, setting up a third face-off with India in this edition.

India won both earlier matches, though both encounters were marred by controversies.

READ: Pakistan captain opens up on Saim Ayub’s participation in Asia Cup final

SHARJAH: Nepal cricket scripted history on Saturday as they claimed their maiden victory over a full-member ICC nation, defeating West Indies by 19 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Nepal overcame early setbacks to post 148/8 in their 20 overs. Both openers, Kushal Bhurtel (6) and Aasif Sheikh (3), departed cheaply, leaving the side reeling at 12-2 inside four overs.

Skipper Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla steadied the innings with a 58-run stand for the third wicket before falling in quick succession.

Paudel top-scored with a composed 38 off 35 balls, while Malla’s brisk 30 from 21 deliveries featured two fours and two sixes.

Gulshan Jha (22) and Dipendra Singh Airee (17) added valuable runs in the later overs to push Nepal to a competitive total.

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Jason Holder starred with the ball for West Indies, returning impressive figures of 4-20. Navin Bidaisee chipped in with three wickets while Akeal Hosein managed one.

In reply, the West Indies faltered against a disciplined Nepalese attack and were restricted to 129-9 in their 20 overs.

Bidaisee top-scored with 22 off 25 balls, while Amir Jangoo and Fabian Allen contributed 19 runs apiece.

Nepal’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Bhurtel taking two wickets. Rajbanshi, Nandan Yadav, Karan KC, Airee and Paudel all picked up one each to seal a famous win.

For his all-round display, captain Rohit Paudel was named Player of the Match, marking a proud moment for Nepal cricket as they registered a landmark triumph against a Test-playing nation.

READ: Pakistan captain opens up on Saim Ayub’s participation in Asia Cup final