As cricket enthusiasts took their seats, the Dubai skyline gleamed with promise in what could become a spectacular Asia Cup final, India vs Pakistan. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman started Pakistan off with a hurricane of boundaries, establishing the Men in Green in a comfortable position early on. There were moments where the team felt invincible, in the groove with boundary hitting and fearless dominance. But then, as the overs progressed, cracks started to emerge: the impossible run that they thought they had started to wane, primed for an unforgettable turnaround.
Middle-Order Meltdown
Pakistan’s middle and lower order collapsed quickly than a sandcastle in the desert on high tide. After an explosive beginning, wickets fell like dominoes—Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Salman Agha were all gone in a flash, as Pakistan floundered at 133/6 until the end of the 16th over. The sad inability to rotate the strike, matched with poor shot selections, led to an innings from a possible total under 150. Kuldeep Yadav’s crafty spin, combined with Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah’s timely squeezing, perfectly took advantage of this weakness and showed how Pakistan’s order relied heavily on its top order.
Faheem Ashraf’s Magic Spell
If there was a dagger in Pakistan’s heart, it was Faheem Ashraf’s three-wicket onslaught. When Pakistan started to go, Ashraf slowly but surely ended it with his slow balls and perfect lengths. He removed Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Shivam Dube in a critical middle phase; Pakistan’s chase had never looked under pressure. On a night when one-handed catches were the difference between the two best teams, Ireland and Pakistan, Ashraf’s assessment shifted the paradigm, with Pakistan now chasing the shadows instead of a run rate.
Fielding and Death Overs Woes
No amount of batting brilliance can mask poor ground fielding, and Pakistan’s ground fielding was hit and miss, at best. They dropped a few easy catches in the middle overs, and the lack of pressure on the tacticians – the likes of Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson – during the chase allowed India to stroll to the total with relative ease. The lower-order also kept Pakistan from getting into even more trouble, and the poor usage management of their death overs contributed even further to their downfall. The reliance on one or two main bowlers without sufficient tactical adaptability to the Dubai pitch was enough for India to enjoy a straightforward chase victory by 5 wickets, with only two balls remaining.
As the final delivery was bowled, India celebrated. Pakistan fans were left to think about what could have been. From a hot start to a fading middle order, Faheem Ashraf’s incisive spell, and a couple of sloppy fielding moments that came at poor times, the match slipped away from Pakistan like sand slipping through fingers. Cricket is a game of small margins, and on this occasion, India had the small margin, leaving Pakistan to consider the lessons of an electrifying, bittersweet final.
FAQ
1: Who won the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan?
India won by 5 wickets with 2 balls remaining.
2: Who was Pakistan’s top scorer in the final?
Sahibzada Farhan scored 57 runs off 38 balls.
3: Which Indian bowler had the most impact on Pakistan’s innings?
Kuldeep Yadav took 4 crucial wickets, dismantling Pakistan’s middle order.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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