Former India cricketer turned commentator Irfan Pathan applauded Shivam Dube’s impactful all-round performance in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28, as well. Coming into the playing XI after being rested in the Super 4 match against Sri Lanka, Dube finished with figures of 0-23 off three overs, along with a priceless cameo of 33 runs off 22 balls as well.

“Shivam Dube’s innings was brilliant, it was very important. He played some crucial shots. That six off Haris Rauf, that was extremely crucial, if that was not hit, the equation of 17 runs needed off the last 2 overs would not have been possible. It might have been more complicated,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“If any other team lost their premier all-rounder like India did with Hardik Pandya, that team would crumble. Imagine the pressure Shivam Dube was under. Playing the final against Pakistan, bowling with the new ball. He gave away only 12 runs off his first two overs with the new ball, and I think that was a huge factor for India,” he further added. “Hardik Pandya has been injured before in the 2018 Asia Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and now just before the final. So, India has made sure that they have 3 all-rounders. So, well done to the selectors and coaches for not letting Hardik’s injury affect their plan.”

However, Shivam Dube finished his knock with two fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 150 as well.

“The partnership between Sanju and Tilak and then the way Dube hit those sixes was very important. Playing a final against them, there wasn’t much panic but the game can go both ways,” Shubman Gill said after India’s Asia Cup 2025 win.