It was a roller-coaster Asia Cup final in Dubai — Pakistan being Pakistan, and India just about holding their nerve. In the end, Suryakumar Yadav’s side claimed their ninth Asia Cup crown with a five-wicket win and two balls to spare.
Pakistan’s collapse after strong start
Put in to bat, Pakistan were cruising at 107 for 1 after 12 overs. Sahibzada Farhan struck a fluent half-century, adding 84 with Fakhar Zaman. But once Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Farhan, the innings unraveled spectacularly.
Kuldeep Yadav, hammered early, turned the match with a devastating spell. He removed Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Faheem Ashraf in quick succession, finishing with 4 for 30, including three wickets in one over. From 113 for 1, Pakistan lost their last nine wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 146 with five balls unused. Axar Patel chipped in with two wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah mopped up the tail.
India’s shaky start
India’s chase began nervously. Abhishek Sharma miscued Faheem Ashraf, Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply to Shaheen Afridi, and Shubman Gill followed soon after. At 32 for 3, Pakistan were firmly in the game.
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a fifty partnership, Samson surviving a drop in the deep. Once Samson fell for 29, Tilak took charge. Calm under pressure, he anchored the chase with a measured 69 not out off 49 balls, mixing strike rotation with timely boundaries.
Dube, then Tilak seal it
Shivam Dube (33 off 23) provided the finishing kick, striking two fours and two sixes in a crucial half-century stand with Tilak. Though Dube fell in the penultimate over, Tilak’s composure ensured India crossed the line.
With 10 needed off the final six balls, Tilak pulled Haris Rauf for a six and then handed the finishing blow to Rinku Singh, who sealed victory with a boundary off his very first ball of the tournament.
Where the game turned
- Pakistan’s death overs: From 107 for 1 in the 12th over, they managed just 39 more runs. Kuldeep’s inspired spell and India’s squeeze in the final five overs left them at least 20–30 runs short.
- Tilak’s calmness: India’s top order faltered, but Tilak’s temperament in partnerships with Samson and Dube ensured the chase never spun out of control.
Brief Scores
Pakistan 146 in 19.1 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 57, Fakhar Zaman 46; Kuldeep Yadav 4-30, Axar Patel 2-26)
India 150/5 in 19.4 overs (Tilak Varma 69*, Shivam Dube 33; Faheem Ashraf 3-29, Shaheen Afridi 1-20)
India won by 5 wickets
