Tag: Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan cricket team has announced the donation of ACC Men’s Asia Cup final match fees to the families of the ‘innocent victims’ martyred in the May 7 attack.

The Pakistan cricket team has pledged to donate their match fees from the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final to the families of the victims martyred in the May 7 attack in India, which resulted in the loss of several innocent civilian lives.

The announcement came via the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) social media handle.

“The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack… Our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” the post read on X.

Similarly, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has also announced that he will donate his match fees to India’s armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

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For context, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final. Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav starred for the champions, with both players playing a vital role with the bat and ball, respectively.

It is pertinent to mention that the drama began from the tournament’s onset, as two arch-rivals faced each other for the first time after a military confrontation that happened in May this year.

This continued in the final as well, as the post-match presentation started an hour after the scheduled time.

The delay was due to India’s refusal to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the PCB.

Following the trophy fiasco, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, also confirmed to the Indian news agency ANI that the team had declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

READ: India refuse Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

DUBAI: The much-anticipated final between India and Pakistan ended in a last-over thriller, but the drama continued as the Men in Blue refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Cricinfo, the reason for India’s refusal came from the fact that the trophy was to be handed over by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The thrilling match finished at 10:30 pm Dubai time; however, the wait for the presentation continued, which started after a one-hour delay.

After the final, the Pakistan team walked off the ground into the dressing room while the Indian team stayed on the field.

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Meanwhile, the stage for the post-match ceremony was not set for an extended period of time. At last, after nearly an hour, the stage was set up with Mohsin Naqvi and other dignitaries taking their place.

The presentation also saw unprecedented scenes as Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma received their individual awards from other dignitaries on stage, whereas Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque from Mohsin Naqvi.

Following this, the host Simon Doull announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” he said.

READ: WATCH: India celebrate Asia Cup 2025 triumph without trophy

DUBAI: A rare sight unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday as India celebrated their ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph without the trophy.

The unusual celebrations came after the Indian team refused to accept the silverware during the delayed presentation ceremony, since it was to be presented by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

Alongside Naqvi, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Council, the vice president of the Emirates Cricket Board, and representatives from the tournament sponsors were present on the stage.

The Men in Blue were seen celebrating their victory on the stage without the silverware. Skipper Suryakumar playfully mimicked, and the rest of the side held up an imaginary trophy as part of their celebrations.

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Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title. Tilak Verma stood up with the bat, scoring a vital 69* from 53 balls.

The champions started their chase on a shaky note as Pakistan’s pacers ripped through their top order.

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.

Sanju’s dismissal opened a brief door for Pakistan; however, Varma remained composed and guided India towards the target.

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.

Pakistan got off to a strong start after being asked to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman looked in fine touch, stitching together a solid 84-run partnership.

Their positive intent laid the perfect platform for a big total, but once the stand was broken, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly.

The middle order failed to capitalize on the strong foundation, and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

READ: Agha ‘proud’ of Pakistan fight despite Asia Cup 2025 final loss

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 beat Pakistan by five wickets to win the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

IND: 150/5 (19.4 overs)

19.4: Rinku Singh crunches over Mid-wicket, and India win Asia Cup 2025 and are champions for the record ninth time

Haris Rauf to bowl the final over

IND: 137/5 (19 overs)

Faheem Ashraf comes to bowl

IND: 130/4 (18 overs)

Rauf back

IND: 117/4 (17 overs)

Shaheen Afridi back

IND: 111/4 (16 overs)

Abrar returns

IND: 100/4 (15 overs)

Haris comes back

IND: 83/4 (14 overs)

Saim is to bowl his third over

IND: 78/4 (13 overs)

12.2: Samson miscues one and ends up being caught

Sanju Samson 24 (21b 2×4 1×6) SR: 114.28

Abrar is to bowl his third over

IND: 76/3 (12 overs)

Saim continues

IND: 69/3 (11 overs)

Abrar to continue

IND: 58/3 (10 overs)

Saim Ayub to bowl his first over

IND: 54/3 (9 overs)

8.3: Abrar Ahmed to Samson and dropped. Hussain Talat drops a sitter

Abrar Ahmed is in the attack

IND: 49/3 (8 overs)

Right-arm pacer Haris Rauf has been brought into the attack

IND: 42/3 (7 overs)

Mohammad Nawaz to bowl his first over of the night

IND: 36/3 (6 overs)

Faheem is to bowl his third over

IND: 25/3 (5 overs)

Shaheen to continue

IND: 20/3 (4 overs)

3.6: Pakistan is on a roll here. Gill departs after holing out to mid on. Game on now.

Shubman Gill 12 (10b 1×4 0x6) SR: 120

Faheem to continue

IND: 11/2 (3 overs)

2.3: India’s skipper tries to clear the infield and ends up being caught. Salman Ali Agha with an excellent catch.

Suryakumar Yadav 1 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 20

Shaheen to continue

IND: 10/1 (2 overs)

1.1: Abhishek tries to go big and miscues one. Big big wicket for Pakistan as Sharma departs

Abhishek Sharma 5 (6b 1×4 0x6) SR: 83.33

Faheem Ashraf from the other end

IND: 7/0 (1 over)

Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the innings for India.

Pakistan vs India (2nd Innings)

DUBAI: Pakistan set a 147-run target against India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final.

19.1: Bumrah to Nawaz, OUT

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl his final over

PAK: 141/9 (19 Overs)

Varun to bowl his final over

PAK: 141/9 (18 Overs)

Bumrah comes back

PAK: 134/8 (17 Overs)

Kuldeep comes back

PAK: 133/5 (16 Overs)

Axar to continue

PAK: 128/4 (15 Overs)

14.4:  A six and a wicket. India will be happy with the wicket, though, and a big one too. Fakhar departs

Fakhar Zaman  46 (35b 2×4 2×6) SR: 131.42

Varun returns

PAK: 118/3 (14 Overs)

13.3: India is on a roll here. Another one bites the dust

Mohammad Haris  0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Axar is back in the mix

PAK: 113/2 (13 Overs)

12.5: Saim Ayub tries to cut and hands an easy pass to point. The left-hander’s horror run continues

Saim Ayub 14 (11b 2×4 0x6) SR: 127.27

Kuldeep returns

PAK: 107/1 (12 Overs)

Tilak Varma comes to bowl

PAK: 98/1 (11 Overs)

Dube comes back. Saim Ayub is off the mark, and he gets going. Good signs for Pakistan

PAK: 87/1 (10 Overs)

9.4: Varun Chakravarthy bowls a short of a length delivery and Farhan tries to hit big. He is caught at mid-wicket. One shot too many for the right-hander who perishes after a well-made fifty.

Sahibzada Farhan 57 (38b 5×4 3×6) SR: 150

Varun returns

PAK: 77/0 (9 Overs)

Kuldeep bowls his second over

PAK: 64/0 (8 Overs)

Axar continues

PAK: 56/0 (7 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the bowling attack

Pakistan has so far batted cautiously, and it’s a good sign for them that they haven’t lost any wickets while Sahizbada Farhan gets going.

PAK: 45/0 (6 Overs)

Axar Patel to bowl from the other end

PAK: 37/0 (5 Overs)

It’s time for some spin, and Varun Chakravarthy is into the attack

PAK: 29/0 (4 Overs)

Bumrah continues

PAK: 19/0 (3 Overs)

Dube to continue

PAK: 11/0 (2 Overs)

Jasprit Bumrah will share the new ball from the other end

PAK: 4/0 (1 Over)

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman to open the innings for Pakistan. Interestingly, Shivam Dube is with the new ball for India.

Pakistan vs India (1st INNINGS)

DUBAI: India have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.

Playing XIs Pakistan vs India 

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: 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