Overview:
If Kohli’s 183 was about dominance, Shahid Afridi’s cameo in 2014 was about pure audacity.
Few rivalries in world cricket ignite passion like India versus Pakistan, and the Asia Cup has often been the perfect stage for their battles. Beyond just runs and wickets, these contests carry decades of history, emotions, and unforgettable drama. The Asia Cup, with its regional pride and high stakes, has delivered some of the most iconic matches in the history of the sport. Fans on both sides still recall these moments with goosebumps, whether it was a last-ball finish, an individual masterclass, or a moment of brilliance under pressure. As we look ahead to the Asia Cup 2025, it is worth revisiting the top five India-Pakistan encounters that have defined the tournament and enriched its legacy.
1) 1986 Final: Miandad’s Last Ball Six
The India-Pakistan rivalry in the Asia Cup truly came alive in the 1986 final at Sharjah. Batting first, India posted 245 runs, which was a competitive total in those days. Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth gave the innings stability, while Dilip Vengsarkar added crucial runs. Pakistan’s chase was far from straightforward, as wickets fell at regular intervals. Yet, Javed Miandad stood firm.
The game reached its climax unforgettably. With four runs required off the final delivery, Miandad faced Chetan Sharma, who ran in under immense pressure. Sharma attempted a low full toss, but Miandad connected sweetly, sending the ball over the midwicket boundary for six. The shot sealed Pakistan’s first Asia Cup title and left Indian fans heartbroken. More than just a win, it became a defining moment in Indo-Pak cricket history, cementing Miandad’s reputation as one of the greatest finishers of his era.
2) 2012: The Dawn of Virat Kohli’s Dominance
For Indian fans, the 2012 clash in Mirpur is remembered as the match where Virat Kohli announced himself as Pakistan’s ultimate nemesis. Chasing a daunting 330, India needed something special, and Kohli delivered one of the finest ODI knocks of all time. He smashed 183 off 148 balls, dismantling Pakistan’s bowlers with an exhibition of elegant drives, flicks, and sheer intensity.
The innings was not just about big shots; it was a lesson in pacing a chase. With Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma providing steady starts, Kohli took control and ensured India never fell behind the asking rate. His ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries meant Pakistan’s attack had no answers. By the time Kohli was dismissed, the game was all but over, and India cruised to a famous victory. That knock not only secured the win but also marked the arrival of Kohli as India’s chase master, a role he has carried ever since.
3) 2014: Afridi’s Magic in Dhaka
If Kohli’s 183 was about dominance, Shahid Afridi’s cameo in 2014 was about pure audacity. India had posted 245 in Dhaka, with half centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ambati Rayudu. Pakistan’s chase see sawed throughout, and with 10 runs needed from the final over, the game looked like it could go either way. R. Ashwin bowled the last over, and Misbah ul Haq’s men were relying on Afridi, the eternal entertainer, to pull off a miracle.
Afridi did not disappoint. With nerves of steel, he smashed Ashwin for two sixes off the fourth and fifth deliveries, sealing victory with one ball to spare. The scenes were electric as Pakistan’s supporters roared, while Indian fans were left stunned at the turn of events. It was classic Afridi, unpredictable, fearless, and capable of snatching victory from nowhere. That night in Dhaka reminded everyone why Afridi was loved and feared in equal measure, and why Indo Pak matches are never truly over until the last ball is bowled.
4) 2010: Harbhajan Singh’s Last Over Heroics
The 2010 edition in Dambulla produced another thriller. Pakistan, batting first, managed 267 thanks to half centuries from Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik. India’s reply was steady, built around Gautam Gambhir’s 83, but the match came down to the wire. With India needing 7 runs in the final over, the tension was unbearable.
Harbhajan Singh, not known for his batting prowess, became the unlikely hero. Facing Mohammad Amir, Bhajji played with surprising confidence. After Suresh Raina fell, the task got even tougher, but Harbhajan sealed the game with a mighty heave over midwicket for six. His emotional celebration, punching the air and roaring in delight, captured the intensity of the moment. The six was more than just winning runs, it symbolized India’s fighting spirit and gave fans another unforgettable chapter in the storied rivalry.
5) 2022: Hardik Pandya’s Houdini Act
The 2022 T20 Asia Cup in Dubai gave modern fans their own slice of Indo-Pak drama. Pakistan set India a target of 148, with Mohammad Rizwan anchoring their innings. India’s chase was turbulent, losing early wickets, and the game seemed to be slipping away. But Hardik Pandya, with his calmness under pressure, turned the tide.
Pandya mixed caution with calculated aggression, building partnerships and keeping the chase alive. With 7 runs required off the last 6 balls, the tension was palpable. Facing Mohammad Nawaz, Pandya finished the job in style, launching a six over long on to seal the victory with two balls to spare. His unbeaten 33 off 17 balls was hailed as a masterclass in finishing, and it underlined his value as India’s ultimate match-winner in crunch situations. The game once again proved why India-Pakistan encounters in the Asia Cup are a spectacle like no other.
The Asia Cup has consistently given cricket fans some of the most dramatic India-Pakistan encounters ever witnessed. From Miandad’s last-ball six in 1986 to Pandya’s finishing blow in 2022, these games are etched permanently in the memories of millions. Each match has added a unique layer to the rivalry, showcasing legends in action and producing stories that transcend the sport itself. As the Asia Cup 2025 approaches, fans will be hoping for another classic chapter to be written, one that adds to the ever-growing list of iconic clashes between these two cricketing giants.