India vs Pakistan: 5 Classic Encounters That Absolutely Lit Up the Asia Cup

When we speak of the Asia Cup, the India vs Pakistan factor cannot be far behind. In Asia Cup 2025, the two teams are facing off on September 14. If both qualify for the Super Four, they will meet again on September 21. Should both India and Pakistan make it to the final of Asia Cup 2025, they shall clash on September 28 as well.

Believe it or not, from 1984 to 2023, there has never been an Asia Cup final that has featured both India and Pakistan. Things could be different this time or maybe not. We shall have to wait and see. Overall, India and Pakistan have played 19 games against each other in the Asia Cup. India have won 10, lost six while three have failed to produce a result.

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India vs Pakistan Memorable Asia Cup Battles

The Asia Cup has been witness to some intense India vs Pakistan battles on the cricket field. There has been joy and heartbreak for fans on either side of the border but some of these games produced some awesome cricket. It’s not for nothing that the fiercest rivalry in cricket is called the Mother of All Battles.

There are many to choose from but five India vs Pakistan matches stand out and all of them have come in the 21st century. India have won three of the thrillers while Pakistan have won two. Three of them have come in the ODI format of the Asia Cup while two were in the T20I format. Let’s turn back the clock and relive those classic encounters between India and Pakistan that absolutely lit up the Asia Cup:

1. India win by three wickets in final over (2010)

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Pakistan set India 268 to win and it was Gautam Gambhir (83) along with MS Dhoni (56) who provided the much-needed boost. Suresh Raina (34) scored some crucial runs towards the end even as the Pakistanis chipped away with wickets. It came down to four needed from two when Harbhajan Singh slammed a huge six to win the game with one ball and three wickets in hand. India advanced to the final and won the Asia Cup as well.

2. India win by six wickets after chasing 330-run target (2012)

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Set 330 to win, India were led by Virat Kohli’s epic 183. There was support from Sachin Tendulkar (52) and Rohit Sharma (68). Although we did not know it at that time, this was Sachin’s last ODI appearance. India won with six wickets and 13 balls left to stay in the hunt for the final. Ultimately, they failed to make it while Pakistan did and took home the Asia Cup title.

3. Pakistan win last-over thriller by one wicket (2014)

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The match was tilting towards India when Shahid Afridi walked in with Pakistan needing 46 from 39 with five wickets in hand. India had set them 246 to win. India continued to take wickets but Afridi stood stall. Mohammad Hafeez stabilised the innings at the top with a brilliant 75 but it was Afridi’s 18-ball unbeaten 34 that stole the show. Afridi hit the winning six when three runs were needed from three balls and Pakistan scraped home with just one wicket left. Pakistan eventually made it to the Asia Cup final while India did not but lost.

4. India win with two balls to spare (2022)

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It was Hardik Pandya’s 33 not out in 17 balls that took India over the line. Chasing a target of 148, India got home with five wickets left and two deliveries left. Both India and Pakistan would progress to the next round but only Pakistan would make it to the Asia Cup final and end up losing.

5. Pakistan clinch victory with just one delivery left (2022)

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In the same edition of the Asia Cup as mentioned before, Pakistan were asked to chase a target of 182 by India in the Super Four. They won with one ball left and five wickets in hand thanks to Mohammad Rizwan (71) and Mohammad Nawaz (42). As mentioned in the above paragraph, Pakistan would lose in the final while India never made it.