With the Asia Cup 2025 final set to be played today at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the question on every cricket fan’s mind is about the best playing XI for both teams. Considering the officially announced squads and recent performances in this tournament, here is a realistic prediction of the strongest playing elevens for India and Pakistan.
India Best Playing 11
- Shubman Gill (Opener) – Consistent and solid at the top, key to providing a good start.
- Abhishek Sharma (Opener) – Form player with impressive strike rate and recent match-winning innings.
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain & Middle Order) – Team’s leader and dependable run-scorer.
- Tilak Varma (Middle Order) – Young talent performing well, provides stability and acceleration.
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper-Batsman) – Aggressive finisher and reliable keeper.
- Hardik Pandya (All-rounder) – Key player with batting and bowling skills, fitness permitting.
- Shivam Dube (All-rounder) – Power hitter and handy medium-fast bowler.
- Axar Patel (All-rounder / Spinner) – Controls middle overs with economical bowling and handy batting.
- Jasprit Bumrah (Lead Fast Bowler) – Strike bowler, excelled in death overs and powerplay.
- Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm Spinner) – Successful spinner with key wickets in this tournament.
- Arshdeep Singh (Fast Bowler) – Left-arm pacer providing crucial breakthroughs.
Also Read-: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final: Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
Pakistan Best Playing 11
- Fakhar Zaman (Opener) – Aggressive top-order batsman setting the tone.
- Saim Ayub (Opener) – Left-handed opener providing support at the top.
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain & Middle Order) – Provides stability and leadership.
- Sahibzada Farhan (Middle Order) – Recently in good form, important in finishing.
- Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper-Batsman) – Capable finisher with tidy keeping skills.
- Hussain Talat (All-rounder) – Adds value with both bat and ball.
- Faheem Ashraf (All-rounder) – Medium pace bowling and lower-order hitting.
- Shaheen Afridi (Lead Fast Bowler) – Strike bowler and key wicket-taker.
- Haris Rauf (Fast Bowler) – Known for his pace and death bowling expertise.
- Abrar Ahmed (Spinner) – Reliable spinner who can control the innings middle overs.
- Mohammad Nawaz (Spinner/All-rounder) – Provides spin option and depth in batting.
Key Observations
- India’s lineup is strong in batting depth, with a mix of youth and experience, complemented by a balanced bowling attack focused on pace and spin.
- Pakistan’s strength lies in their pace battery with Afridi and Rauf, supported by spinners Abrar and Nawaz, while their batting includes aggressive openers and stabilizers.
- Hardik Pandya’s fitness will play a crucial role in India’s balance.
- Both teams maintain a good mix of wicketkeepers and all-rounders for flexibility.
Final Thought
These playing elevens are based on official squad lists and players’ current form in the Asia Cup 2025. The final playing XI for each team may depend on the toss and pitch conditions, but this selection gives fans a clear idea of the likely lineups in this high-pressure India vs Pakistan final.
This prediction builds realistic teams with the strongest combination to compete for the Asia Cup crown in one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries.