Few sporting rivalries in the world can match the intensity, passion, and unpredictability of India vs Pakistan cricket clashes. Every time these two cricketing giants face off, it goes beyond the boundaries of sport—it becomes a cultural and emotional event watched by millions across the globe. While league-stage encounters carry immense weight, it is the finals of multinational tournaments that truly capture the imagination of fans. These high-stakes games have often written unforgettable chapters in cricket history.
As the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai approaches on September 28, India and Pakistan will meet in a tournament final for the first time in the Asia Cup’s long history. Both teams have already showcased their dominance in the Super Four stage, and now the world waits for another iconic clash. This match adds to a legacy of 10 major finals between the two nations, where the records reveal a surprising trend: India, despite being dominant in ICC tournaments and bilateral contests, trails Pakistan in head-to-head final victories.
In this blog, we’ll revisit India vs Pakistan finals across cricket history, analyze India’s record, and look ahead to the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai.
The Intensity of India vs Pakistan Rivalry in Finals
- Unmatched Pressure: Finals are already nerve-wracking, but when India and Pakistan play, the pressure multiplies tenfold. Players carry not just team expectations but the hopes of millions of fans.
- Global Audience: These matches attract one of the biggest global viewerships in cricket, often crossing billions of impressions across TV and digital platforms.
- Historic Context: With political tensions adding another layer, every victory or defeat gets remembered for decades.
- Unpredictable Outcomes: The finals between India and Pakistan have rarely been one-sided affairs. They often swing dramatically, producing iconic moments like Javed Miandad’s six in 1986 or Dhoni’s young team triumphing in 2007.
Match-by-Match Breakdown of 10 Major India vs Pakistan Finals
Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket (1985) – India Win
The first major final clash between India and Pakistan came in the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship at the MCG. Batting first, Pakistan managed only 176/9 in their 50 overs, with Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan leading the bowling. India’s chase was smooth, as Ravi Shastri (63)* and Kris Srikkanth (67) ensured an 8-wicket win in just 47.1 overs. This victory established India as a rising ODI powerhouse of the 1980s. It was also a morale-boosting win over their arch-rivals in a high-pressure final, setting the tone for future encounters.
Austral-Asia Cup (1986) – Pakistan Win
The 1986 Sharjah final remains one of the most famous India–Pakistan encounters. Batting first, India posted 245/7, thanks to Gavaskar (92), Srikkanth (75), and Vengsarkar (50). The game turned into a thriller as Pakistan, led by Javed Miandad’s legendary unbeaten *116, chased the target in the final over. With 4 runs needed off the last ball, Miandad smashed Chetan Sharma for a six, sealing a 1-wicket victory. This moment became one of the defining images of India–Pakistan cricket rivalry, and Miandad’s knock is still celebrated in Pakistan as one of their greatest cricketing triumphs.
Wills Trophy Final (1991) – Pakistan Win
In October 1991 at Sharjah, Pakistan dominated the Wills Trophy final. Zahid Fazal (98) and Saleem Malik (87) combined to take Pakistan to 262/6, a challenging score at the time. India, chasing 263, crumbled under pressure, managing only 190 in 46 overs. Pakistan’s young fast bowler Aaqib Javed delivered one of the greatest spells in ODI history, taking 7 wickets for 37 runs. His swing and pace proved unplayable, handing Pakistan a resounding 72-run victory. The match reinforced Pakistan’s reputation as a big-match team against India in finals during the early 1990s.
Austral-Asia Cup (1994) – Pakistan Win
The 1994 Sharjah Austral-Asia Cup final saw Pakistan once again claim victory over India. Batting first, Pakistan reached 250/6, courtesy of Aamer Sohail (69) and Basit Ali (57). India’s response started promisingly but faltered against a disciplined Pakistan bowling attack led by Wasim Akram, Saleem Malik, and Aamer Sohail, who each took two wickets. India were eventually bowled out for 211 in 47.4 overs, giving Pakistan a 39-run win. It was yet another final where Pakistan showcased their ability to dominate India on neutral grounds, extending their streak in tournament-deciding matches during that era.
Silver Jubilee Independence Cup (1998) – India Win
The 1998 Independence Cup final in Dhaka was a best-of-three series, and the decider on January 18 became unforgettable. Pakistan batted first, setting India a stiff target of 315 runs. India’s reply was led by Sourav Ganguly’s masterful 124 and Robin Singh’s valuable 82, with Azharuddin guiding the chase in the final overs. India clinched the game by 3 wickets, marking one of their greatest ODI wins of the decade. This victory ended Pakistan’s dominance over India in finals and restored balance in the rivalry. Ganguly’s innings is still regarded as one of his finest knocks.
Pepsi Cup (1999) – Pakistan Win
At the Pepsi Cup final in Bengaluru (April 1999), Pakistan dismantled India with a massive victory. Pakistan posted a strong total of 291/8, powered by Inzamam-ul-Haq (91) and Shahid Afridi (65). India, under Ajay Jadeja’s captaincy, never got going in their chase. Azhar Mahmood was the star with the ball, taking 5/38 to bowl India out for 168 in just 42 overs. Pakistan’s 123-run win was one of the most one-sided finals between the two sides, reaffirming their edge in crunch matches during the late 1990s.
Coca-Cola Cup (1999) – Pakistan Win
Barely weeks after the Pepsi Cup, the two teams met again in the Coca-Cola Cup final in Sharjah (April 16, 1999). India struggled badly with the bat, collapsing to just 125 runs in 45 overs despite a fighting fifty from Sourav Ganguly. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Wasim Akram, never let India settle. The chase was clinical, with Pakistan reaching the target in 28 overs for the loss of only two wickets. This 8-wicket victory further extended Pakistan’s dominance in finals, leaving India searching for answers ahead of the 1999 World Cup.
ICC T20 World Cup Final (2007) – India Win
The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg was a defining moment for Indian cricket. Batting first, India posted 157/5, with Gautam Gambhir’s 75 anchoring the innings. Pakistan, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, fought back in the chase but fell just short. The match ended dramatically as Misbah’s attempted scoop off Joginder Sharma landed in Sreesanth’s hands, sealing a 5-run win for India. This victory gave India their first T20 World Cup title and showcased MS Dhoni’s calm leadership. It remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of India–Pakistan finals.
Kitply Cup Final (2008) – Pakistan Win
In June 2008 at Dhaka, India and Pakistan faced off in the Kitply Cup tri-series final. Pakistan dominated with the bat, posting 315/3, thanks to brilliant centuries from Salman Butt (125) and Younis Khan (108). India’s chase was competitive, with MS Dhoni (64) and Yuvraj Singh (56) scoring fifties, but they fell short, finishing 290 all out. Pakistan won by 25 runs, showing their ability to defend big totals under pressure. This match highlighted Pakistan’s continued superiority over India in finals outside ICC tournaments during the 2000s.
ICC Champions Trophy Final (2017) – Pakistan Win
The 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval remains one of Pakistan’s greatest triumphs. Batting first, Pakistan stunned India by posting 338/4, with Fakhar Zaman scoring a blistering 114 and Hafeez adding a quickfire 57. India’s chase collapsed early as Mohammad Amir dismissed Rohit, Kohli, and Dhawan in a fiery spell. Hasan Ali finished the job with three wickets, bowling India out for 158 in 30 overs. Pakistan’s 180-run win was their biggest margin of victory against India in a final and a performance that shocked the cricketing world.
India vs Pakistan finals in multi-nation white-ball events
| Tournament | Winner | Loser | Margin | Venue | Date |
| Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket | India | Pakistan | 8 wickets | Melbourne | April 10, 1985 |
| Austral-Asia Cup | Pakistan | India | 1 wicket | Sharjah | April 18, 1986 |
| Wills Trophy | Pakistan | India | 72 runs | Sharjah | October 25, 1991 |
| Austral-Asia Cup | Pakistan | India | 39 runs | Sharjah | April 22, 1994 |
| Silver Jubilee Independence Cup | India | Pakistan | 3 wickets | Dhaka | January 18, 1998 |
| Pepsi Cup | Pakistan | India | 123 runs | Bengaluru | April 4, 1999 |
| Coca-Cola Cup | Pakistan | India | 8 wickets | Dhaka | April 16, 1999 |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | India | Pakistan | 5 runs | Johannesburg | September 24, 2007 |
| Kitply Cup | Pakistan | India | 25 runs | Dhaka | June 14, 2008 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | Pakistan | India | 180 runs | The Oval | June 18, 2017 |
India’s Surprising Track Record – Stats & Analysis
- Finals played: 10
- India won: 3 (1985, 1998, 2007)
- Pakistan won: 7 (1986, 1991, 1994, 1999 Pepsi, 1999 Coca-Cola, 2008, 2017)
Despite India’s dominance in ICC tournaments overall, they lag behind Pakistan in finals. Pakistan’s ability to rise in knockout games has often caught India off guard.
Asia Cup 2025 Final in Dubai – A New Chapter
The stage is set at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, defeated Pakistan twice in the Super Fours and will look for a hat-trick. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, has shown resilience and will aim for redemption.
India Squad Highlights: SKY, Gill, Hardik, Bumrah, Kuldeep
Pakistan Squad Highlights: Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Nawaz
This is the first-ever India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final, making it historic. With India leading 2-0 in the tournament so far, Pakistan will enter with nothing to lose, adding spice to the showdown.
Conclusion
The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry remains one of the most intense spectacles in world sport, and their head-to-head record in tournament finals tells a fascinating story of shifting dominance. From India’s emphatic triumph in the 1985 Benson & Hedges Cup to Pakistan’s commanding win in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, both sides have produced unforgettable moments on the biggest stages.
As we approach the 2025 Asia Cup Final in Dubai, anticipation is at an all-time high. Fans across the globe eagerly await another chapter in this storied rivalry, where pride, passion, and performance will once again collide. Whether India extends its dominance in high-pressure games or Pakistan rewrites history with another statement victory, the final promises to be a defining moment. What remains certain is that every India–Pakistan clash goes far beyond cricket—it’s an event that unites, excites, and captivates millions.
FAQs
1. Who has won more finals between India and Pakistan?
Pakistan has won 7 out of 10 major finals, while India has managed 3 victories.
2. Which was the closest India vs Pakistan final?
The 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final in Sharjah, where Javed Miandad hit a last-ball six, remains the closest and most iconic.
3. How many ICC finals have India and Pakistan played?
They have met in two ICC finals—2007 T20 World Cup (India won) and 2017 Champions Trophy (Pakistan won).
4. What was Pakistan’s biggest win in a final vs India?
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final, where Pakistan won by 180 runs.
5. What was India’s most famous win in a final vs Pakistan?
The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg, remembered for its thrilling finish.
6. How is India’s record in Asia Cup finals?
India has dominated Asia Cup finals historically, but 2025 marks the first-ever final vs Pakistan in this tournament.
7. Why is the 2025 Asia Cup final so special?
Because it’s the first India–Pakistan Asia Cup final and comes after a long gap since their last multinational tournament final in 2017.
8. Can India secure a hat-trick of wins vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025?
India has already beaten Pakistan twice in the tournament and will aim to complete a 3-0 sweep in the Dubai final.
Related Blog: India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Asia Cup Records
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