DUBAI : Tilak Varma’s mix of composure and audacity propelled India to their ninth Asia Cup title, as they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final on Sunday.
Chasing 147, India’s top order faltered early, slipping to 20 for three inside five overs. But Tilak (69* off 53 balls) steadied the innings, forming crucial partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33 off 21 balls). With 10 needed off the final over, Tilak struck Haris Rauf to mid-wicket before Rinku Singh sealed the victory with a winning boundary, sparking celebrations among Indian fans.
Earlier, Pakistan had been restricted to 146 in 19.1 overs, thanks to a destructive spell by Kuldeep Yadav (4/30), backed by Varun Chakravarthy (2/30) and Axar Patel (2/26). Despite a strong start from Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46), Pakistan collapsed in the final 10 overs, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs. Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) wrapped up the innings, even sending Haris Rauf off with a symbolic send-off echoing the controversy from the previous match.
India’s chase saw early struggles against Pakistan’s slower deliveries, claiming Suryakumar Yadav (1), Shubman Gill (12), and Abhishek Sharma (5). Samson found rhythm with a cover drive, while Tilak attacked fearlessly, including a decisive slog sweep off Abrar Ahmed. His partnerships of 57 with Samson and 60 with Dube sealed India’s dominance over Pakistan in white-ball encounters in recent years.
The decisive moment came in the 15th over when Rauf conceded 17 runs, giving India momentum. The disciplined Indian spinners, varying pace and line, suffocated Pakistan’s middle order, ultimately shifting the game in India’s favor.
Brief scores:
Pakistan: 146 all out in 19.1 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 57, Fakhar Zaman 46; Kuldeep Yadav 4/30)
India: 150/5 in 19.4 overs (Tilak Varma 69*, Shivam Dube 33)
