The Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan delivered more than just a cricket match; it provided a memorable moment of on-field banter. After India triumphed with a thrilling five-wicket victory to claim their ninth Asia Cup title, celebrations took a humorous turn, specifically directed at Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Abrar is known for his distinctive celebration: a head gesture towards the dugout after taking a wicket. He had confidently displayed this after dismissing Sanju Samson for 24 in the 13th over, a critical juncture when India’s chase seemed precarious.
Abrar Ahmed’s celebration was playfully mimicked by Team India players following their Asia Cup final victory.
However, what goes around, comes around! Following India’s emphatic win, a video quickly circulated on social media. It showed Indian players Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana perfectly mimicking Abrar’s signature move. This playful act was aimed good-naturedly towards Samson, sparking widespread laughter among fans online.
Arshdeep himself shared the viral clip on Instagram with a concise caption: “No context.” Fans absolutely loved this bold response, viewing it as a fitting comeback after weeks of intense rivalry and exchanges between the two teams. Many pointed out the poetic justice in turning Abrar’s own antics against him.
Beyond the viral moment, India’s victory was a hard-fought one. Chasing a target of 147, the Indian innings faced an early scare, reeling at 20/3 during the powerplay after Abhishek Sharma (5), Shubman Gill (12), and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (1) departed cheaply.
It was Tilak Varma who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls, even smashing a crucial six off Haris Rauf in the final over. Shivam Dube provided excellent support with a vital 33 off just 22 balls, their 60-run partnership significantly shifting momentum in India’s favour. Rinku Singh then sealed the deal with a boundary, securing the win with two balls to spare.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had squandered a commanding start of 113/1, collapsing dramatically to 146 all out in just 19.1 overs. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) laid a solid foundation, but Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant spell of 4/30 triggered a spectacular collapse, with the last nine wickets falling for a mere 33 runs.
The final also saw a post-match controversy: India’s team notably declined to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Despite the abandoned presentation, the Indian players created their own unique celebration, sharing numerous trophy-less pictures that exuded joy and camaraderie. Their clever use of Abrar’s own celebration ensured that the competitive spirit, and the last laugh, belonged to Team India.