The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan is underway at the Dubai International Stadium, with Pakistan making a strong start after India won the toss and elected to bowl. This marks the first time India and Pakistan have met in an Asia Cup final since the tournament's inception in 1984.

Pakistan's Innings

Pakistan's opening pair, Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan, have provided a solid foundation, building a 50-plus run partnership. By the 9th over, Pakistan had reached 77/0, with Sahibzada Farhan notching up his half-century.

• Sahibzada Farhan: He reached his fifty off 35 balls, displaying aggressive intent with five fours and two sixes. He broke a trend by hitting Jasprit Bumrah for a six, marking his second six against Bumrah in the tournament.
• Fakhar Zaman: He contributed a six of his own, sweeping the ball powerfully over midwicket.

Indian Bowling

India has introduced all their main spinners into the attack early in the innings.

• Kuldeep Yadav: He faced some initial pressure, with Sahibzada Farhan hitting him for a six. Fakhar Zaman also later hit him for a six over midwicket.
• Jasprit Bumrah: He conceded a couple of boundaries in his early overs.
• Shivam Dube: He bowled two tight overs, conceding only 12 runs. Pakistan appeared tentative against him, with Sahibzada Farhan particularly cautious.
• Axar Patel: He bowled a tight over, not allowing the Pakistani batsmen to score freely. Suryakumar Yadav made a diving effort at short cover to save three runs off Axar's over.

Key Moments and Observations

• India made a few changes to their playing XI, with Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube coming in for Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Jasprit Bumrah also returned to the team. Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the final due to a niggle.
• Pakistan opted to field an unchanged side from their previous match.
• Ravi Shastri and Waqar Younis conducted the toss interviews with the two captains in a special arrangement.
• Rinku Singh saved a potential boundary with a dive at deep midwicket.

Pre-Match Context

• India has been dominant in the tournament, remaining undefeated. Pakistan, on the other hand, has suffered two defeats, both against India.
• This final is particularly significant, being the first Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan in the tournament's history.
• There was some controversy before the match, with Suryakumar Yadav not attending the captains' photo session with the trophy.

The match is currently in progress, and it remains to be seen how the rest of the game unfolds.