The Asia Cup has often delivered India-Pakistan clashes but surprisingly, those encounters have never come in a tournament final. Over 16 editions since the competition began in 1984, the two arch-rivals have crossed paths in group stages and Super Four rounds, yet the final has always eluded them.
Instead, Sri Lanka have been the more frequent opponent for both sides on Asia Cup final day.
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India's record in Asia Cup finals
India are the most successful team in the tournament's history with eight titles. They have been part of 10 finals (plus the round-robin win in 1984).
Most of those finals were against Sri Lanka who have long been India's biggest Asia Cup rival.
India's Asia Cup finals
- 1984 - Round-robin champions
- 1988 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1990-91 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1995 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 1997 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2004 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2008 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2010 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 2016 (T20I) - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2018 - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2023 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
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Pakistan's record in Asia Cup finals
Pakistan have reached the final five times - lifting the trophy twice. Their first win was in 2000 against Sri Lanka, followed by another in 2012 against Bangladesh.
Like India, most of their finals have also featured Sri Lanka.
Pakistan's Asia Cup finals
- 1986 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2000 - Beat Sri Lanka (champions)
- 2012 - Beat Bangladesh (champions)
- 2014 - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
- 2022 (T20I) - Lost to Sri Lanka (runner-up)
Why India vs Pakistan has never happened in an Asia Cup final
The explanation is simple: one of the two has usually stumbled before reaching the final. On occasions when India have progressed, Pakistan have slipped in the Super Fours (2004, 2008, 2018, 2023).
When Pakistan have made it, India have fallen short (2012, 2014, 2022). Sri Lanka's consistency has been the common thread - often preventing an India-Pakistan title clash.
With both teams strong contenders in the current edition, fans once again hope for what has never happened before: a final showdown between the two giants of Asian cricket.
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