The Asia Cup has a long history of India-Pakistan clashes, but until now, they had never faced each other in a final. After 16 editions since 1984, their encounters were limited to group stages and Super Four matches.
However, the 2025 edition is set to change that, with India and Pakistan meeting in the championship match for the very first time.
Previously, it was Sri Lanka who more often featured against either side in the finals.
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India's record in Asia Cup finals
India are the most successful team in the tournament's history with eight titles. They have been part of 11 finals (plus the round-robin win in 1984).
Most of those finals were against Sri Lanka who have long been India's biggest Asia Cup rival.
India's Asia Cup finals
- 1984 - Round-robin champions
- 1988 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1990-91 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1995 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1997 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2004 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2008 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2010 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 2016 (T20I) - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2018 - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2023 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 2025- Against Pakistan
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Pakistan's record in Asia Cup finals
Pakistan have reached the final six times - lifting the trophy twice. Their first win was in 2000 against Sri Lanka, followed by another in 2012 against Bangladesh.
Like India, most of their finals have also featured Sri Lanka.
Pakistan's Asia Cup finals
- 1986 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2000 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 2012 - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2014 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2022 (T20I) - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2025- Against India
Why India vs Pakistan Finals have always been missed
The explanation is simple: one of the two has usually stumbled before reaching the final. On occasions when India have progressed, Pakistan have slipped in the Super Fours (2004, 2008, 2018, 2023).
When Pakistan have made it, India have fallen short (2012, 2014, 2022). Sri Lanka's consistency has been the common thread - often preventing an India-Pakistan title clash.
This time, however, both India and Pakistan have made it through, setting up a historic first-ever Asia Cup 2025 final between the two giants of Asian cricket on 28th September 2025.
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