5 Things We Know After the #AsiaCupFinal

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#PAKvBAN, #T20WC26, 2026
Image Source: Cricket Pakistan

#AsiaCupFinal has brought the curtain down on the Asia Cup 2025, and while the spotlight remained on the India–Pakistan rivalry, the tournament offered plenty of lessons for both Pakistan — and the cricketing world at large. For Pakistan, it was a rollercoaster of highs and lows—solid performances against most teams but recurring struggles against India. Here are five key takeaways that stand out after this year’s edition.

Read: #PAKvBAN: Pakistan Should Make These 2 Changes

Pakistan Is The Second Best Team In Asia

#PakvsInd Match, “No Handshake” Controversy, #PakvsSL, #AsiaCupFinal
Image Source: Pak Passion Facebook Page

Pakistan’s inability to beat India remains a bitter pill, but there’s another side to the story: they overcame every other opponent in the tournament. That run should settle, at least for now, the debate over who ranks second in Asia. Despite their shortcomings, Pakistan clearly hold the edge over other regional sides.

Read: #PAKvsSL: Here Is What Needs to Change

India: Worst In Sportsmanship

Kuldeep Yadav, #AsiaCup25 Pakistan India, #AsiaCupFinal
Image Source: #PakvsInd

India may have played well on the field, but off it their behavior left a sour taste. From arrogance in victory to a lack of basic sportsman spirit, their attitude was nothing short of pathetic. If this arrogance persists, despite being the richest board in the world, BCCI will soon start receiving reactions from other boards and their players in a manner that may isolate them.

Read: “No Handshake” Controversy: Why Pakistan Should Not Play India

Pakistan’s Batting Needs Catching Up

#NZvPAK, #PAKvsNZ #BabarAzam, Shahid Afridi Saim Ayub Fakhar Zaman, Adam Hollioake Saim Ayub, First #PakvsNZ T20, #PakvsNZ Washed-out, #PAKvsIRE, #PakvIRE, #ENGvPAK, #T20WorldCup, #SaimAyub, First #PAKvsBAN T20, #AsiaCupFinal
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The green shirts’ batting remains their biggest weakness. Against top-five teams, inconsistency with the bat repeatedly pulls them down. Unless the batting order becomes more reliable, Pakistan will struggle to convert potential into trophies.

Read: 3 Duels to Watch Out for During the #PakvsInd Match

#AsiaCupFinal Proves That Pakistan’s T20 Side is Incomplete Without Babar and Rizwan

#BabarAzam & Mohd. Rizwan, 4th #PAKVSA T20, Sharjeel Khan and Fakhar Zaman, Salman Butt Babar Azam Virat Kohli, #PAKvWI, Inzamam-ul-Haq Babar Azam, #BabarAzam #RamizRaja, #PAKvNZ Playing XI, #T20WorldCup Babar Azam Rizwan, Babar Azam #T20WC, #PakvInd #T20WorldCup, #ICCAwards #Rizwan, #ICCMen'sT20I Team of the Year, Babar Azam Rizwan #PSL2022 Shadab Khan #PakvsAus, Babar Azam T20 ODI World Cups, Ramiz Raja Babar Azam Mohd. Rizwan, Ricky Ponting Babar Azam, #PAKvsNZ, #PakvNz #BabarAzam, Babar Azam #ICCODIWC, Babar Azam 1st Test Victory, #AsiaCup23 Squad, #ICCWorldCup2023 Babar Azam, #CW23 #BabarAzam, #PakistanCricketTeam, #PAKvsSA, #PAKvsNZ Auckland, #NZvsPAK Babar Azam, #PAKvsNZ #BabarAzam, Babar Azam Captain, #PakvsNZ T20, #PakvsEng T20 series, #PAKvsUSA, Rizwan Babar Azam, Rizwan Babar Azam, First #PakvsAus ODI, #PakvsNZ ODI series, #PakvsWI First ODI, #AsiaCup2025, #Babar&Rizwan, #AsiaCupFinal
Image Source: PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

The Asia Cup made it obvious: without Babar and Rizwan, Pakistan’s T20 lineup feels incomplete. Heading into next year’s T20 World Cup, their experience and stability will be indispensable.

Read: 3 Three Things We Know Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025

Build The Fast Bowling Reserves 

Shaheen Afridi Babar Azam #ICCAwards, #PakvsWI Babar Azam Rizwan, #PakvsWI Shaheen Afridi, #PakvsWI, New Zealand Tri-Nation Series, Shaheen Afridi Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, #T20WC #AsiaCup2022, Shaheen Shah Afridi, #T20WorldCup Babar Azam Basit Ali Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam Shaheen Afridi, Rashid Latif, #PAKvsNZ T20 series, #ShanMasood #ShaheenAfridi, #PAKvsNZ Shaheen Afridi, #ShaheenAfridi, #BabarAzam Captain, #PakvsAus, #PakvsNZ series, #Babar #Shaheen #Rizwan #PAKvsBAN, #AsiaCupFinal
Image Source: Reuters/Andrew Boyers/www.cricketworld.com

Pakistan still rely too heavily on Shaheen Afridi. While he is world-class, the pressure on him is unsustainable. The team urgently needs to invest in and develop backup pacers to restore the pace depth that has long been Pakistan’s trademark.

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