India Clinches Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Title in a Dramatic Finale; Women’s Team Dominates World Cup Stage
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup 2025 in men’s cricket concluded with a thrilling finish as India lifted the trophy for a record ninth time, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in a tense final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The tournament, played in T20 format from 9 to 28 September 2025 in the UAE, saw eight teams — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong — competing for regional supremacy. The event followed a group stage and Super Four format, leading to an electrifying final showdown that captivated millions of fans across the continent.
India’s campaign was marked by consistency, resilience, and standout performances from its young stars. One of the most memorable clashes was the Super Four encounter against Sri Lanka, which ended in a rare tie at 202 runs each, forcing a Super Over that India won with composure under pressure. The much-anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry continued throughout the tournament, with the two sides facing each other multiple times, culminating in a high-stakes final. In the summit clash, Pakistan set a target of 146, which India chased down with five wickets in hand and two balls to spare. Tilak Varma emerged as the hero of the final with a gritty unbeaten 69, steering India to victory in a pressure-filled chase. Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Series after amassing 314 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav topped the wicket charts with 17 dismissals, reaffirming India’s dominance with both bat and ball.
However, the tournament was not without controversies. A major incident erupted during the trophy presentation ceremony when the Indian team declined to accept the trophy from ACC Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, instead choosing to lift it symbolically themselves. The move sparked heated debates about politics overshadowing sport. Relations between the two teams remained tense throughout, with captains refusing to shake hands before or after matches, and a bizarre anthem mix-up — where a pop song briefly replaced Pakistan’s national anthem — further intensified tempers. Pakistan’s disappointing performance also led to severe consequences at home, with the PCB suspending No-Objection Certificates for several star players, including Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, preventing them from participating in foreign T20 leagues. Despite the controversies, India’s triumph was celebrated as a testament to the team’s depth and mental strength, setting the tone for their upcoming international assignments.
On the women’s cricket front, there was no Women’s Asia Cup held in 2025, with the last edition in 2024 seeing Sri Lanka clinch their maiden title. However, the spotlight was firmly on the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where the Indian women’s team has been in stellar form. India registered a commanding 88-run victory over Pakistan in Colombo, continuing their unbeaten ODI streak against their rivals, which now stands at 12–0. The match, however, was marred by controversies, including a disputed coin toss, a no-handshake incident between captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana, and an unexpected interruption caused by a swarm of insects invading the field. Pakistan batter Sidra Amin was also reprimanded for a Code of Conduct violation after an outburst on the field. Earlier in the tournament, India secured a strong win against Sri Lanka in their opening match, with Deepti Sharma shining with an all-round performance, scoring 53 runs and taking three wickets.
Despite the off-field drama, both Indian teams demonstrated remarkable poise and dominance on the field. For the men, the Asia Cup victory served as a statement of intent ahead of future tournaments, while the women’s team continued to strengthen its position as a global powerhouse. As the cricketing calendar advances, the focus will now shift to India’s upcoming Test series against the West Indies and the women’s team’s quest for World Cup glory. The 2025 season has once again highlighted the intensity of Asian cricket rivalries, the emergence of new talent, and the growing influence of the sport beyond the boundary ropes.
