No other multilateral sports tournament has ever seen such heated controversy as this year’s Asia Cup. From hand gestures that mimicked Indian jets crashing to refusals to offer customary handshakes, displays of nationalism overshadowed the tournament.
On Sunday (September 28), Suryakumar Yadav of India and Salman Agha of Pakistan will face off in the final. Fans will be eager to watch this high-stakes contest and compare performances closely. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for during their match-up between Pakistan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team players:
| Date | Match Type | Venue | Result | Margin of Victory | Key Performers (India) | Key Performers (Pakistan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2025 | Asia Cup Final | Dubai International Stadium | India won by 5 wickets | 2 balls remaining | Tilak Varma (69*), Shivam Dube (33) | Sahibzada Farhan (57), Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) |
| Sep 21, 2025 | Asia Cup Super 4 | Dubai International Stadium | India won by 6 wickets | 7 balls remaining | Suryakumar Yadav (47*), Kuldeep Yadav (3/23) | Faheem Ashraf (3/26) |
| Sep 14, 2025 | Asia Cup Group A | Dubai International Stadium | India won by 7 wickets | 5 balls remaining | Suryakumar Yadav (47*), Axar Patel (3/21) | Sahibzada Farhan (40), Shaheen Afridi (33*) |
| Feb 23, 2025 | Champions Trophy | Dubai International Stadium | India won by 6 wickets | 4 balls remaining | Virat Kohli (100*), Kuldeep Yadav (3/26) | Fakhar Zaman (45), Shaheen Afridi (2/30) |
| Oct 14, 2023 | World Cup 2023 | Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium | India won by 7 wickets | 13 balls remaining | Shubman Gill (85), Jasprit Bumrah (3/35) | Babar Azam (52), Shaheen Afridi (2/40) |
Pakistani players
Pakistan boasts a talented group of players that add invaluable skills to its national cricket team. Their accomplishments have contributed significantly to Pakistan’s progress and resilience in international cricket; currently ranking fourth for Tests, eighth in ODIs and second in T20Is respectively.
Numerous Pakistan national cricket team players have shown an eagerness to expand and develop their skill sets, such as fast bowlers or top-order batters who can perform under all conditions.
Pakistan has a cricket history stretching back to 1952 when they joined the International Cricket Council (ICC). Since then, they have played over 41 Test matches – winning 20. They are regulars in major cricket tournaments like two World Cups and three T20 World Cups; winning both the ICC Champions Trophy twice and World Twenty20 Cup once.
The team boasts an excellent record in One Day Internationals (ODIs), winning 519 out of 570 matches while only losing 42. They’ve played 21 series, winning 13 and losing 12. Furthermore, their T20I record stands out with winning 145 out of 163 contests while losing only nine matches overall.
While regarded as one of the world’s premier sides, they have struggled recently in Test matches. On their 2013 tour to South Africa they were whitewashed by Proteas and consequently lost the number one ranking for tests.
Even so, they still managed to advance to the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC World Cup before losing out to England in the final matchup. Their squad remains formidable and can build on past achievements in future tournaments.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is a government-run body responsible for overseeing and promoting cricket within Pakistan.
Mohsin Naqvi currently leads this body, supported by an experienced group of officials. Their primary role is ensuring their teams are prepared and equipped to compete internationally as well as keeping abreast of latest trends within cricket.
Indian players
Pakistan’s national cricket team consists of both talented and experienced players, boasting an illustrious history of success that makes them one of the premier teams worldwide.
However, consistency remains an issue; although they boast impressive records in one-day internationals and rank among Asia’s best one-day sides; in Test matches however performance can often fall below expectation; they still have yet to win an India Test series since being formed!
Pakistan and India share an intense rivalry, and are set to rekindle it today in an Asian Cup Final match-up that marks 41 years since they last met head-on in a final.
Both teams are eager to win the final at Dubai International Stadium, in what promises to be an exciting, high-octane battle that will be broadcast live worldwide and award its champion with both trophy and crown.
India are facing an injury worry ahead of their match against New Zealand as all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener Abhishek Sharma are suffering from cramps. Both will be evaluated tomorrow morning.
Shivam Dube bowled an assortment of good-length and full-toss deliveries to Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan in the third over. Both batsmen were looking to score early runs; Zaman took singles off confident on-and off drives while Farhan nudged one off defensive backfoot push.
Pakistan suffered another blow as Jasprit Bumrah hit a short ball for four and then tried unsuccessfully to hook it for four more runs; his wicket dealt them an important setback and effectively ended their promising start.
Even after their defeat, India displayed remarkable class after the match. Their players did not shake hands with Pakistani teammates and refused to accept Mohsin Naqvi’s trophy presentation ceremony, causing considerable delays that generated significant controversy and caught even the attention of ICC Chairman.
India’s record
India boasts an outstanding record in international cricket, ranking second for Tests, fourth in ODIs and first in Twenty20Is.
They have won multiple ICC World Cups as well as multiple Champions Trophies; also making appearances at numerous other major tournaments.
Unfortunately, however, their performance at the 2025 Cricket World Cup was unimpressive as Ireland defeated them in quarter-finals, while coach Bob Woolmer passed away during this tournament; afterwards Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down from being captain and Shoaib Malik took his role instead.
India’s national cricket team boasts many talented and acclaimed players. India is well-known for playing inspiring cricket against Pakistan, and matches between these rivals often prove highly emotional and competitive. India-Pakistan rivalry remains one of the fiercest in all sports and often provides thrilling contests and high-quality contests between them both.
India performed below par throughout most of the 1970s and 80s, yet saw significant gains during the 1990s with Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble joining their ranks and leading to more consistent performances – winning several tournaments such as 1991 Cricket World Cups as well as Asia Cups held between 1988-1990; additionally they defeated Pakistan to win Austral-Asia Cup held in Sharjah with Javed Miandad scoring an off-the-ball six that sealed victory!
Indian cricket gained prominence during the 2000s. They secured victory at the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup held in 2007 by beating Sri Lanka in the final. Mahendra Singh Dhoni led this success through his calm nature and strategic acumen; both attributes proved indispensable to his team’s success.
India national cricket team has achieved many notable accomplishments during this era and can rightfully be called one of the premier sides in world cricket. Since their establishment in 1973, they have won an incredible 461 tests, only losing 150 games overall; additionally they have won 519 ODIs and 145 T20Is as well.
Pakistan’s record
Pakistan cricket team has long been recognized as an exceptional international side. Renowned for producing some of the fastest and fearless bowlers in cricket history and their thrilling rivalry with India, they have won several major tournaments like 1992 ODI World Cup and 2009 ICC T20 World Cup as well as many test series victories; however their recent performance has been disappointing due to a political climate marred by corruption that can impact player morale as well as disruption of PCB leadership by political interference.
The 1990s were an exciting period for Pakistan cricket team as it experienced significant success under Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis’ guidance, winning multiple tournaments under Wasim Akram’s captaincy and reaching 1999 World Cup final.
Unfortunately, spot-fixing allegations plagued them during that tournament and eventually several players were found guilty and received prison sentences.
Pakistan was defeated by India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final match, in a nail-biting affair. It was an unexpected loss after winning both previous matches convincingly – it proved their ability but wasn’t demonstrated consistently enough this tournament. Pakistani team is certainly capable of playing great cricket but hadn’t done so recently.
Still, the team remains an influential force. Notable stars include Fazal Mahmood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim; its fans, known as the Stani Army, provide loud support during matches while participating in charitable work projects.
Pakistan dominated Sri Lanka during their tour, winning four out of five tests easily but losing to them by an innings and 70 runs in their fifth and final match – it was also notable as being non-drawn and highest scoring one of all five tests series – thanks to Hanif Mohammad’s record breaking 337 not out at second innings which also marked 970 minutes at wicket! This victory can largely be credited to Hanif’s record breaking performance that included playing for 970 minutes at wicket!
