When India and Pakistan walk out for the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, history will be made. For the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history, the two arch-rivals will meet in the title clash.
India, unbeaten so far, enter the contest on the back of wins over both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, they’ve blended firepower at the top with discipline in the middle overs. Pakistan, under Salman Ali Agha, have fought their way to the final with match-winning spells from Shaheen Afridi and crucial knocks from Fakhar Zaman.
But before this much-anticipated showdown, here’s a look back at all the previous finals where India and Pakistan have squared off in multi-nation tournaments.
World Championship of Cricket 1985 – Melbourne
India set the tone for the rivalry with a dominant win. Kapil Dev’s side bowled Pakistan out for 176, before Kris Srikkanth (67) and Ravi Shastri (68*) guided them home by eight wickets. Shastri was crowned “Champion of Champions,” driving away in a brand-new Audi 100 — a memory etched in Indian cricket folklore.
Austral-Asia Cup 1986 – Sharjah
One of cricket’s most replayed moments. Pakistan needed four off the final ball; Javed Miandad launched Chetan Sharma for a six. His unbeaten 116 scripted a one-wicket win and left India stunned. The Sharjah crowd erupted, and Miandad became an eternal hero back home.
Wills Trophy 1991 – Sharjah
Zahid Fazal (98*) and Saleem Malik (87) powered Pakistan to 262/6. India faltered in the chase, undone by 19-year-old Aaqib Javed’s breathtaking 7/37. Pakistan won by 72 runs in a one-sided finale that underlined their dominance in Sharjah during the 90s.
Austral-Asia Cup 1994 – Sharjah
Wasim Akram and Aamer Sohail dismantled India’s batting after Pakistan posted 250. Despite Vinod Kambli’s fighting knock, India fell short by 39 runs. Sohail bagged both Player of the Match and Tournament.
Independence Cup 1998 – Dhaka
A rare three-match final series. After Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar (140) and Ijaz Ahmed (117) piled up 314, India chased down the target in a thriller. Sourav Ganguly (124) and Robin Singh (82) starred, before Hrishikesh Kanitkar’s last-over boundary sealed a famous win.
Pepsi Cup 1999 – Bangalore
Pakistan posted 292/9 courtesy of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 91. India’s reply never took off. Azhar Mahmood’s 5/38 crushed India’s hopes as the hosts were bowled out for 169.
ICC T20 World Cup 2007 – Johannesburg
The final that gave birth to the IPL era. Gautam Gambhir’s 75 carried India to 157/5. Pakistan fought back through Misbah-ul-Haq, but Joginder Sharma defended 13 in the last over. Sreesanth’s catch at fine leg sealed India’s five-run win and their first T20 World Cup crown.
ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – The Oval
Fakhar Zaman’s century set up Pakistan’s imposing 338/4. Mohammad Amir then ripped through India’s top order, removing Rohit, Kohli, and Dhawan. India never recovered, folding for 158, as Pakistan won by 180 runs — their biggest margin in an ICC final.
Rivalry by the Numbers
Across 10 multi-nation finals before Sunday, Pakistan lead India 7–3. Each clash carried its own drama — from last-ball sixes to famous collapses. And now, for the first time, the Asia Cup final joins this exclusive list.
The Stage is Set
India arrive unbeaten, Pakistan arrive determined. For fans, it’s more than a final — it’s the game that defines cricket’s greatest rivalry. History says Pakistan have the edge in summit clashes, but momentum says India are favourites.
On Sunday in Dubai, the wait ends. India vs Pakistan, in an Asia Cup final. At last.
