Dubai once again prepares for the biggest contest in Asian cricket as India and Pakistan meet in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The focus is firmly on two individuals: India’s fearless opener Abhishek Sharma and Pakistan’s strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Their duel has shaped the outcomes of earlier matches in this tournament, with Abhishek twice dominating Afridi and tilting the balance in India’s favour. The third meeting between them, however, comes under the highest pressure imaginable, and it could well define the champion on Sunday night.
Abhishek has provided India with electric starts, smashing boundaries in the powerplay and forcing Pakistan to play catch-up. His ability to attack Afridi early has left Pakistan rattled, with Shaheen conceding 63 runs without a wicket in their two meetings. For India, his quick scoring has masked middle-order inconsistencies and built strong foundations.
Afridi, though, is no ordinary bowler. Once the master of new-ball magic, he is still capable of producing game-changing spells, as seen in the 2021 T20 World Cup when he dismissed Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with lethal inswing. The final is not just about skills but about mentality, temperament, and who can seize the first few overs under pressure like India against England.
Abhishek Sharma: India’s fearless powerplay weapon
Abhishek Sharma has turned into India’s most dangerous asset at the top of the order during this Asia Cup. His clarity of intent has allowed him to play freely from the first ball, unsettling bowlers before they find rhythm. After a run of quick thirties, he elevated his game with consecutive half-centuries against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. These innings were not just about runs but about momentum. By scoring at breakneck speed, Abhishek gave India enough early cushion to withstand any slowdown later in the innings.
His duels against Afridi have been particularly decisive. In one game, he smashed 31 off 13 balls, hammering Afridi for sixes and fours in the opening over. In another, he hooked a sharp bouncer for six, signalling that he would not be intimidated. Such dominance has not only put Pakistan on the back foot but also emboldened India’s batting strategy. If India are to lift the Asia Cup, Abhishek must deliver once again.
How Abhishek adapts in high-pressure finals?
Abhishek’s natural instinct is to attack, but finals can test nerves. A mistimed stroke under pressure could undo India’s plans. The key lies in blending fearlessness with calculated patience. If he controls his aggression and picks the right deliveries, his impact could decide the match’s outcome. The final is his chance to prove that his powerplay heroics can also stand the test of high-pressure situations.
Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan’s hope for a turnaround
Shaheen Afridi has long been Pakistan’s trusted new-ball weapon, celebrated for his pace, bounce, and deadly inswing. In this tournament, he has rediscovered some form, claiming key wickets against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in must-win games. Yet his struggles against India have been glaring. Across two games against them, he has conceded heavily without a breakthrough, with Abhishek punishing his lengths and refusing to let him settle. For a bowler known for striking in the very first over, this weakness has hurt Pakistan badly.
Despite those numbers, Afridi cannot be written off. He has produced match-winning spells on the biggest stages, including his iconic double-strike against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup. His rhythm, energy, and body language often set the tone for Pakistan. If he finds his groove early and removes Abhishek or Rohit, Pakistan could tilt the contest in their favour. The final will test not just his skill but also his temperament under fire.
Afridi’s mindset under pressure
Afridi thrives on aggression, but frustration has often clouded his judgement when attacked. Against Abhishek, his visible annoyance in earlier matches suggested that emotions disrupted his focus. To succeed in the final, he must channel aggression into precision. One disciplined over could silence doubts and restore his aura. If not, Abhishek’s confidence may once again expose cracks in Pakistan’s attack.
Strengths and weaknesses: Abhishek vs Afridi
| Player | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Fearless in powerplay, quick scoring, strong front-foot play | Vulnerable to short balls, risks with early aggression |
| Shaheen Afridi | Deadly inswinger, proven first-over strike bowler, high pace | Concedes heavily if attacked, struggles when early plan fails |
This balance makes their clash decisive. If Abhishek survives Afridi’s early burst, India gains confidence. If Afridi finds his swing early, Pakistan could dominate.
The mental chess: who controls the nerves?
India-Pakistan games amplify pressure like no other. The crowd noise, the history, and the stakes make every delivery feel heavier. Abhishek’s calm confidence has been his biggest strength, while Afridi’s frustration has been his weakness. Finals magnify these mental battles even further. The player who manages emotions better could tilt the game.
Small signs often reveal control in such contests. Afridi’s length in his first over, Abhishek’s footwork against the short ball, and field placements around the boundary will all be early indicators. A dropped catch or a missed yorker could change the game’s direction instantly.
India’s powerplay advantage and their middle-order question
India’s openers have been consistent, but the middle order remains untested. Runs in the first six overs have often compensated for weak finishes. Against stronger attacks, this reliance could backfire. Pakistan knows that if Afridi breaks India’s opening stand, the middle order will feel the pressure. Players like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill must anchor the innings while others accelerate responsibly.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have been inconsistent this tournament. In a final, India cannot rely only on openers. If Pakistan removes Abhishek early, the responsibility shifts to the middle order. Their ability to hold the innings together may decide India’s fate.
Pakistan’s comeback blueprint in Dubai
Pakistan’s path to victory is clear: strike early and sustain aggression. Afridi must find breakthroughs in the powerplay to expose India’s weaker middle order. Beyond bowling, Pakistan’s batters need to avoid mid-innings collapses. In earlier games, they slowed down badly after strong starts, turning big totals into modest ones. To beat India in a final, Pakistan must bat with intent across all phases and back it up with sharp fielding.
Removing Abhishek or Rohit early forces India to rebuild under pressure. That changes the tempo completely and allows Pakistan’s spinners to operate with freedom. One early breakthrough could decide the contest more than a hundred later runs.
Abhishek continues his aggressive form
If Abhishek dominates the powerplay again, India will control the game early. Pakistan’s plans will unravel quickly, and India’s chase or setting target becomes much easier.
If Afridi gets a wicket early, Pakistan takes control. India’s middle order will come under pressure, and the game could swing their way.
A dropped catch, a missed yorker, or a misfield could decide this contest. Both teams must hold their nerve in crunch moments, especially under the lights in Dubai.
Prediction: who wins the Asia Cup 2025?
The final feels finely balanced, with both teams holding clear strengths and weaknesses. India’s edge lies in Abhishek’s fearless form, while Pakistan’s hopes rest on Afridi rediscovering his early magic. If Abhishek survives Afridi’s first spell, India are favourites. If Afridi strikes early, Pakistan will have a real chance. Expect a close contest, decided by the very first over.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2025 final is more than just another India-Pakistan clash. It is a duel between Abhishek Sharma’s fearless batting and Shaheen Afridi’s fiery pace. Both have shaped the tournament, and their third battle could define its champion. For India, Abhishek’s aggression has been a game-changer, masking middle-order frailties and setting winning platforms. For Pakistan, Afridi’s skill with the new ball remains their clearest path to victory, even if his record against India has dipped recently.
Ultimately, this contest is about pressure, temperament, and execution. If Abhishek once again takes control, India’s path to the trophy looks clear. If Afridi silences him early, Pakistan could script a famous win. One thing is certain: the Asia Cup final will likely be decided in the very first over at Dubai International Stadium.