India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 final: A look back at their last multi-national tournament final

The last time India and Pakistan met in a multi-nation final was the 2017 Champions Trophy, where Pakistan stunned India with a 180-run victory at The Oval.

India vs Pakistan 

India and Pakistan’s rivalry is among the fiercest in cricket, and every clash between the two nations carries enormous weight. As fans prepare for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 final, it is worth recalling the last time the two teams squared off in the final of a multi-nation tournament, the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. That day at The Oval remains etched in memory for the way Pakistan flipped the script against a dominant Indian side.

Earlier in the tournament, India had comfortably beaten Pakistan in the group stage, which made them firm favourites heading into the final. But Pakistan approached the big day with renewed intent. Their openers set the tone, and India suddenly found themselves on the back foot. It was the kind of reversal that only an India–Pakistan game can deliver, where form and statistics often go out the window once the players take the field.

The star of the final was Fakhar Zaman, who scored a brilliant century after surviving a dismissal off a no-ball early in his innings. Supported by Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan stormed to a formidable total of 338/4. India’s bowling, usually disciplined, looked rattled under the pressure of a charged-up opponent playing fearless cricket.

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A defining moment in the India vs Pakistan rivalry

India’s response never truly got going. The usually reliable top order of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli was dismantled by Mohammad Amir’s fiery spell, leaving India reeling within the first few overs. Hardik Pandya’s aggressive 76 gave a glimmer of hope, but the chase collapsed as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained their stranglehold. India were eventually bowled out for 158, handing Pakistan an emphatic 180-run victory.

That result was more than just a title win for Pakistan, it was a morale-boosting triumph that redefined their standing in world cricket at the time. For India, it was a stark reminder of how pressure in an India–Pakistan final can swing momentum in unexpected ways, no matter how dominant a team may have been earlier.

As the two sides now prepare for another final, the echoes of 2017 serve as both inspiration and warning. The stakes remain just as high, and one thing is certain: when India and Pakistan meet in a tournament decider, the contest is never just about cricket, it becomes a story of pride, nerves, and unforgettable moments.

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