India and Pakistan clash in first-ever Asia final.

By Muhammad Fayaz Khan

Islamabad, September 27, 2025 — Pakistan have done it. In a campaign marked by drama, grit and intermittent brilliance, they have stormed into the Asia Cup 2025 final, where they will face their arch-rivals India on Sunday. It’s the first time in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup that India and Pakistan will clash in the title match. ([India Today][1])

Here’s a full look at Pakistan’s road to the final: what worked, what didn’t — and what they must do against India to finally lift the trophy.

Group Stage Performance

Pakistan were placed in Group A, alongside India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. ([The Times of India][2])

Their campaign opened with a high-stakes win over the UAE that secured their place in the Super 4s. They chased down a target of 147, though not without nerves: early wickets, middle order pressure, and a late-innings rescue by Shaheen Shah Afridi (29 off 14 balls) helped pull them through. ([India Today][3])

The match vs India in the group stage ended in a loss for Pakistan. India’s bowler’s choked Pakistan’s batting in the middle overs. ([Reuters][4])

Overall in the group stage, Pakistan’s batting showed flashes (especially powerplay ability and contributions from the top order) but suffered collapses in middle phases, especially under pressure. Their bowling showed resilience, particularly from the pace unit. ([Arab News PK][5])

Super 4s: Key Matches and Stats

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Pakistan opened their Super Four campaign with a five-wicket win. They bowled well to restrict Sri Lanka to 133/8, then chased in 18 overs. Shaheen Afridi took three wickets. ([Cricket World][6])

Pakistan vs India (Super 4): India defeated Pakistan by six wickets. Pakistan posted 171-5, thanks to a 72-run stand between Sahibzada Farhan (58) and others, but India’s opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched a match-winning 105-run partnership. ([Reuters] [4])

Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Super 4): A low scoring thriller. Pakistan defended a modest total of 135/8, with Shaheen Afridi taking 3/17 and Haris Rauf 3/33, holding Bangladesh to 124/9 and sealing their final berth. ([India Today][7])

Pakistan’s path to the final required them to win this match vs. Bangladesh. Their bowlers held their nerve under pressure, especially in death overs. ([Al Jazeera][8])

What Pakistan Must Target Against India in the Final

Facing India in a final is always a cauldron — greater intensity, sharper focus, fewer mistakes rewarded. For Pakistan to stand a chance, the following weaknesses must be addressed, and strengths sharpened: Weaknesses to Overcome

Middle Overs Batting Collapse

In both the group match and Super 4 against India, Pakistan lost momentum in the middle overs. After strong starts, they’ve been susceptible to tight bowling, dot balls, and lack of partnerships. Pakistan’s top order has done well, but the middle needs more responsibility. ([India Today][9])

Inconsistent Starts and Power play Execution

Losing early wickets or failing to capitalize on power play overs has put pressure on the rest of the batting. There’s room to improve their start, their rotations, and avoid hoarding risks until late overs. ([Cricketer][10])

Fielding and Defensive Lapses

Some sloppy moments in fielding and dropped catches have cost Pakistan dear in tight matches. Against opponents like India, such lapses are punished more harshly. ([The Times of India][11])

Mental Pressure in Low-Score Defenses

Defending low totals (as they had to vs Bangladesh) is always risky. They managed vs Bangladesh, but replicating composure in final will require mental fortitude under pressure. ([India Today][7]): Strengths to Build On / What to Target

Bowling Prowess, Especially Pace Attack

Pakistan’s fast bowlers (Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf) have delivered under pressure. Exploiting early swing, variation, and hitting good lines will be essential. If the pitch offers any seam or early movement, Pakistan must exploit it.

Clutch Performances under Pressure

In recent games, Pakistan’s bowling and tail-ender contributions have rescued them. If key players can step up in crunch moments, that will swing momentum. For example, defending 135 required discipline and execution. ([India Today][7]).

Pakistan beat Bangladesh, face India in Asia Cup final

Smart, Balanced Batting Strategy

Against India, power play aggression should be balanced with safety; don’t lose too many wickets early, but also don’t allow India’s bowlers to dominate with dot balls. Rotate strike, build partnerships, and finish strongly.

Utilizing Spin / Variation*

India often has a strong batting core. Pakistan must deploy spinners and slower options cleverly in middle overs to stifle scoring, force mistakes.

Strong Start in the Fielding Department

Tight fielding, saving runs, sharp catch-taking will matter. India’s batting often thrives on small margins; cutting off singles, saving boundaries, putting pressure from all ends will help.

Looking Ahead: Sunday’s Final

Pitch & Conditions: Depending on venue (Dubai / UAE), batters will likely get good value but pressure makes a difference. Expect slower pitches, some dew can play a factor; toss might matter.

Psychological Edge: Pakistan have gained confidence from their recent win over Bangladesh to reach final, plus their bowling ‘under pressure’ has so far held. Yet India have beaten Pakistan twice this tournament (group + Super 4), meaning Pakistan must learn from those defeats. ([India Today][3])

Players to Watch: Sahibzada Farhan (top order stability), Fakhar Zaman (initial aggression), Shaheen Afridi & Haris Rauf (pace & death overs), Mohammad Haris and others who can unbalance the game.

Final Word

This final is more than just a match — it’s historic. Pakistan’s performance has shown resilience, moments of brilliance, but also exposed vulnerabilities especially when chasing momentum or batting under pressure. If they can iron out the middle-overs collapse, sharpen fielding, and let their bowlers deliver under pressure, they have a real shot.

India, on the other hand, will probably enter as favorites given recent wins. But as Pakistan have proved already, favorites tag can be lifted, boundaries redrawn.

Prediction: If Pakistan bat first and post a competitive total (say 170-200), they can defend it. If chasing, they need solid opening stands, rotation of strike, and momentum through mid-innings. On Sunday, the team that shows discipline, composure, and seizes the key moments will win. If I were to bet — Pakistan will be battling hard, and I believe they have what it takes to lift the Asia Cup 2025.