India’s Hardik Pandya reacts throughout their Asia Cup 2025 Tremendous Fours recreation in opposition to Bangladesh in Dubai on September 24, 2025. — AFP
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been dominated out of the high-stakes ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 remaining in opposition to Pakistan, it emerged on Sunday, simply earlier than the sport.
Indian media retailers reported that Rinku Singh will exchange the all-rounder, who was injured within the facet’s Tremendous Fours recreation in opposition to Sri Lanka.
After profitable the toss and opting to bowl first within the remaining, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Rinku Singh replaces Pandya for the final word recreation of the continental event.
“Hardik misses out with a niggle. Bumrah, Dube and Rinku come in,” the Indian captain mentioned on the toss.
This historic remaining marks the primary time Pakistan and India will face one another in an Asia Cup title conflict, additional fueling pleasure across the encounter.
The Asia Cup, inaugurated in 1984 within the UAE with Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka competing in a round-robin format, has a wealthy historical past.
India claimed the inaugural title, whereas the first-ever remaining was contested in 1986, the place Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in Colombo to safe their maiden championship.
Pakistan gained their first Asia Cup in 2000, beating Sri Lanka by 39 runs in Dhaka, and added a second title in 2012.
General, Pakistan have featured in 5 Asia Cup finals, profitable twice and ending runners-up thrice, most lately in opposition to Sri Lanka in 2022.
India stay the event’s most profitable crew, having reached 11 finals, profitable eight titles, and ending runners-up on three events.
