quick news (most important first)
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. The decision hands Pakistan first use of the wicket under lights — a move that sets the stage for a classic Chase vs Defend dynamic in the high-profile Pak vs Ind final.
pak vs ind toss update: India opt to bowl (what happened)
At the pre-match toss, India called heads and chose to bowl first, signalling confidence in their bowlers under night conditions and a belief that chasing may be the better strategy on Dubai surfaces. The toss result was confirmed by multiple live feeds and scoring websites.
ind vs pak playing XIs: likely lineups after toss
Broadcasters and live blogs list the following likely XIs (final playing XI announced at toss / match start):
India (probable): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan (probable): Salman Ali Agha (c), Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Hussain Talat, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen/Haris Rauf (depending on fitness), etc.
(Confirm exact playing XIs on the live scorecard — teams sometimes make late changes.
ind vs pak elect to bowl: pitch & weather context (why bowl first)
Dubai pitches under lights often offer a bit of grip for spinners early and can be favourable for teams chasing in T20 finals where dew later softens the outfield. India’s decision to bowl suggests they expect the surface to be easier to chase on, or that their bowling attack (including Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav) can restrict Pakistan to a chaseable total. Expect captains to use spin in the middle overs and pace up front.
ind vs pak live: how to watch & broadcast notes
If you’re tuning in: Sony Sports / SonyLIV hold broadcast and streaming rights in India; Willow and regional sports networks stream in North America; local broadcasters and official apps carry the match in other regions. Use official streams for best quality and to avoid piracy. For international viewers, check Business Insider’s streaming guide for region-specific options.
key matchups to watch after the toss (what could decide the game)
- Bumrah vs Pakistan top order — early wickets will be crucial.
- Kuldeep / Abrar spin battle — middle overs could tilt scoring.
- Death-over execution — yorkers, slower balls and fielding under pressure.
- Powerplay scoring — a fast start can force the chasing team into errors.
- Bench impact — finishers like Hardik Pandya or unexpected heroics (Saim Ayub/Salman Ali Agha) may decide momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the Ind vs Pak Asia Cup final?
India won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Dubai International Stadium.
Why would India elect to bowl first?
India likely chose to bowl because Dubai conditions under lights can favour chasing, and the team trusts its bowling attack to keep totals manageable. Teams also often prefer chasing in high-pressure T20 finals.
Where can I watch Ind vs Pak live?
Sony Sports and SonyLIV hold rights in India; Willow and regional partners cover North America. Check official broadcaster listings for your country.
Quick note (live):
This is a live update — follow the live scorecards (Indian Express, LiveMint, Financial Express, Al Jazeera liveblog) for ball-by-ball coverage, confirmed playing XIs at toss, and real-time score updates. Enjoy the game and watch official streams for the highest quality