The grand finale of the Asia Cup 2025 is set to deliver another epic clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both sides have shown grit and brilliance in the tournament, and this final marks the first time in history the two rivals meet in the summit clash. India will enter the contest with momentum, having defeated Pakistan twice already in the group and Super Four stages. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to settle scores on the biggest night. Among all possible mini-battles, one stands out as a potential game-changer, Haris Rauf against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. The duel has already carved out a narrative of its own, and the spotlight is firmly fixed on how Suryakumar handles Pakistan’s express pacer in the biggest match of the tournament.
Who has the upper hand in T20Is? Suryakumar Yadav or Haris Rauf
Pakistani quick Haris has become the first bowler to dismiss Suryakumar three times in T20Is, underlining his dominance in this unique player rivalry. The most recent encounter came in the Asia Cup Super Four, where Suryakumar was undone by a full-length delivery and edged to third man after just three balls.
Earlier, Rauf had struck twice against him in World Cup encounters, once at Melbourne in 2022, where Suryakumar scored a brisk 15 off 10 before Rauf’s pace halted his innings, and again in New York 2024, where the Indian dasher struggled on a difficult surface, making 7 off 8 before succumbing. Across three innings, SKY has managed only 11 runs off 12 balls against Rauf, which highlights the Pakistani’s effectiveness. No other bowler has troubled India’s 360-degree batter this consistently, and that psychological edge makes this face-off one of the most intriguing subplots of the final. With Pakistan looking to exploit this pattern and India hoping their skipper finds a way out, this duel could tip the balance on the big night.
- October 23, 2022 (T20 World Cup, Melbourne): 15 runs off 10 balls (SR 150.00)
Playing in the epic encounter at the MCG, SKY walked in with India in a spot of bother. He immediately provided a counter-punch, scoring at a strike rate of 150, helping ease the pressure on Virat Kohli and the required run rate. However, he was once again dismissed before he could unleash his full potential, caught by Rizwan off a fiery delivery from Haris Rauf. - June 9, 2024 (T20 World Cup, New York): 7 runs off 8 balls (SR 87.50)
On a notoriously difficult New York pitch with unpredictable bounce, this was one of SKY’s most subdued international innings. He struggled to find his timing. He was caught trying to attack a delivery from Rauf, who secured his wicket for the second time in T20 World Cups, adding to the tension in a low-scoring thriller where every run was priceless. - September 21, 2025 (Asia Cup Super 4, Dubai): 0 runs off 3 balls (SR 0.00)
He fell for a rare duck, dismissed by pacer Rauf for the third time in T20Is. This time, an attempted flick resulted in a leading edge that flew to deep third man, ending his innings prematurely and causing a brief wobble in the Indian chase.
Suryakumar’s resilience and India’s hope for the Asia Cup 2025 final vs Pakistan
While numbers suggest Rauf has had Suryakumar’s number, the Indian captain is known for producing his best on grand occasions. His fearless unbeaten 47 in an earlier group clash against Pakistan in the same tournament is a reminder of his ability to absorb pressure and counterattack. India’s batting unit thrives on intent, and Suryakumar remains its centerpiece when it comes to striking at any angle. The upcoming final will test whether he can break free of Rauf’s hold and anchor India’s innings in a high-stakes environment.
On the flip side, Rauf will enter the contest with confidence, having dismissed Suryakumar every time they’ve met in T20Is, which makes it a psychological as well as tactical battle. The result may come down to how quickly Suryakumar adapts to the pace and movement on offer. With both men fully aware of what’s at stake, their head-to-head clash isn’t just a side-note but a decisive contest that could shape the destiny of the Asia Cup 2025 final.
