Asia Cup 2025 final: Why Pakistan have the edge over India

Originally posted on Crictoday | By V.M.Suriya Narayanan | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 8:12 AM ET

The Asia Cup 2025 final promises to be a historic contest as India and Pakistan will meet at the Dubai International Stadium, with tensions running high between the nations, their players, and passionate fans.

This will be the first time the two sides face each other in the final of the Continental Cup. Since the tournament began in 1984, the arch-rivals have never competed against each other in the final across 16 earlier editions. India, appearing in their 11th final, will aim to secure a record-extending ninth crown, while Pakistan, in their sixth final, hope to lift the trophy for a third time.

Why History Gives Pakistan An Edge in the Asia Cup Final

The 2025 Asia Cup final will mark the 13th instance of India and Pakistan meeting in a tournament decider. When it comes to summit clashes, the record leans heavily towards Pakistan, who have claimed victory eight times. India, by contrast, have managed to overcome their arch-rivals on four occasions.

Complete list of 12 tournament finals between India and Pakistan

Year	Tournament	Result	Venue	Format
1985	World Championship of Cricket	India won by eight wickets	Melbourne	ODI
1986	Austral-Asia Cup	Pakistan won by one wicket	Sharjah	ODI
1991	Will Trophy	Pakistan won by 72 runs	Sharjah	ODI
1994	Austral-Asia Cup	Pakistan won by 39 runs	Sharjah	ODI
1998	Silver Jubilee Independence Cup—First Final	India won by eight wickets	Dhaka	ODI
1998	Silver Jubilee Independence Cup—Second Final	Pakistan won by six wickets	Dhaka	ODI
1998	Silver Jubilee Independence Cup—Third Final	India won by three wickets	Dhaka	ODI
1999	Pepsi Cup	Pakistan by 123 runs	Bengaluru	ODI
1999	Coco-Cola Cup	Pakistan won by eight wickets	Sharjah	ODI
2007	T20 World Cup	India won by 5 runs	Johannesburg	T20I
2008	Kitply Cup	Pakistan won by 25 runs	Mirpur	ODI
2017	Champions Trophy	Pakistan won by 180 runs	Oval	ODI

India’s only meeting with Pakistan in the T20 format came back in 2007, when MS Dhoni’s young side lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup after a thrilling win at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Recent results also tilt the balance in India’s favour. They have already beaten Pakistan twice in this Asia Cup and are enjoying a dominant run, having secured seven straight victories over their rivals across formats, four of them in T20Is.

India enjoy a clear upper hand in T20 internationals, having won 12 of the 15 matches played against Pakistan. When results across all formats are considered, the two teams have met 210 times. Pakistan have 88 wins, while India have 79 victories to their name.

India vs Pakistan head-to-head records in T20Is