Asia Cup Final: Kuldeep Yadav sparks Pakistan collapse, equals massive T20I record

NEW DELHI: Dubai International Cricket Stadium witnessed a high-voltage showdown as India’s spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a match-turning performance to bowl Pakistan out for 146 in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday. The title clash, played amid tensions and no handshakes between the neighbours at the toss, showcased Kuldeep’s masterclass with the ball.

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Kuldeep claimed four crucial wickets to trigger a middle-order collapse, finishing with 4/30, and took his tournament tally to 17 wickets, equalling the record for most wickets in a T20I series or tournament among full member teams. He now joins Arshdeep Singh (T20 WC 2024) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (T20 WC 2024) at the top of the list.


Live Score: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final

Pakistan started positively after being put in to bat, with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman putting on 84 runs for the first wicket. Farhan smashed 57 before attempting a second successive six off Varun Chakravarthy and falling short. Zaman contributed 46, but India’s spinners turned the tide.

Most wickets in a T20I series (Full Member teams):

• 17 - Kuldeep Yadav, Asia Cup 2025 (ER: 6.27)
• 17 - Fazalhaq Farooqi, T20 WC 2024 (ER: 6.31)
• 17 - Arshdeep Singh, T20 WC 2024 (ER: 7.16)
• 16 - Wanindu Hasaranga, T20 WC 2021 (ER: 5.20)

He struck thrice in the 17th over, including dismissing Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha for eight, while Jasprit Bumrah wrapped up the innings with wickets of Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz. Bumrah also mirrored a gesture by Rauf from the earlier match, adding a psychological edge.

This final marked the first-ever Asia Cup summit clash between India and Pakistan in the tournament’s 41-year history. The two cricketing giants have met only in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues due to long-standing political tensions. India had already defeated Pakistan comfortably in both prior matches of this edition, including a Super Four encounter where Farhan’s gun celebration had caused controversy.

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