Asia Cup Records: 16 Editions And Still No India vs Pakistan Final

When theAsia Cup 2025 schedulewas announced, the biggest talking point was the possibility ofIndia and Pakistan clashing up to three timesin the tournament. Some reports even went as far as calling it an India vs Pakistan T20 seriesrdquo; with other matches happening around it.

The calculation was simple mdash; two encounters in different group stages and potentially athird in the final.

But those anticipating this high-voltage final between the two arch-rivals seemed to have overlooked one striking fact in thehistory of the Asia Cup: in the past16 editions,India and Pakistan have never faced each other in the final.

India is the most successful team in the Asia Cup with a total of 8 titles (7 ODIs + 1 T20) so far but no title was won by defeating Pakistan in the final. Similarly, for its two titles, Pakistan did not beat India in the final. Although, both India and Pakistan are the two top continental sides and have played many memorable matches with each other in the Asia Cup but never in the final. A quick look as to how they missed meeting each other in the final of Asia Cup:

1984: It was played in a round-robin format, and no final was played. India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan played, and India won this tournament with two victories.

1986: India boycotted the event due to strained political relations with the hosts Sri Lanka.

1988: Sri Lanka met India in the final and India beat them by 6 wickets to win their second Asia Cup.

1991: This time Pakistan pulled out due to political tensions with India.

1995: All three top sides India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka tied on points after the preliminary round but with better NRR, India and Sri Lanka proceeded to the final. India defeated Sri Lanka in the final for the title, third consecutive time.

1997: This time also India progressed on the NRR. However, hosts Sri Lanka beat India in the final by 8 wickets to win its second Asia Cup.

2000: Pakistan made a clean sweep while India lost to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and failed to make the final. This was the first time, India didnt play the final. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka to lift their maiden Asia Cup title.

2004: Once again India was lucky on the bonus points, which decided the finalist. They progressed ahead after tying with Pakistan on points in the Super Fours. India defeated Sri Lanka by 25 runs to lift the Cup.

2008: Again, points system helped India in the Super Fours. India carried forward points from their group-stage win over Pakistan, to meet Sri Lanka in the final. Sri Lanka won their fourth Asia Cup.

2010: Sri Lanka and India topped the group stages and entered the final. India defeated Sri Lanka to lift the title for the fifth time, but for the first time in 15 years.

2012: Pakistan reached the final, but this time India were unlucky as the loss to Bangladesh proved costly.Pakistan and Bangladesh met in the final and Pakistan won their second Asia Cup.

2014: India lost to both Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the group round. Sri Lanka and Pakistan met in the final which Sri Lanka won.

2016: Pakistan were off colour in the group stage. India and Bangladesh contested the final. This was the first tournament in T20I format. India won the final.

2018: Pakistan were knocked out in the Super Four. India reached the final and became champions in the event played in ODI format.

2022: India suffered loss to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super Four. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final by 23 runs. India had started the tournament as hot favourites.

2023: In the Super Fours, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a thriller. India also qualified for finals. In a one-sided final, Sri Lanka lost to India and it was the 8th title for India.

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Will the pattern continue with the 2025 event?