By Admin 
For the past three weeks in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup, political undercurrents and off-field controversies involving India and Pakistan had overshadowed the contest between bat and ball. The conclusion to the continental competition at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (September 28, 2025), however, fittingly brought cricket back to the forefront as the two arch-rivals engaged in a pulsating battle with the title on the line.
It, of course, had to end in ecstasy for one team and agony for the other. As has been the case in recent years, India tasted glory in a tense chase of 147 while Salman Agha’s Pakistan was left to nurse the wounds of a five-wicket defeat. By the end of the night, Suryakumar Yadav and Co. wrapped their hands around the trophy for the ninth time in the tournament’s history.
India’s win had several protagonists. None bigger than Tilak Varma, who starred in a nail-biting chase with an unbeaten knock of 69. The winning runs were hit by Rinku Singh, who came in for the injured Hardik Pandya, with two balls remaining. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel also played their part by triggering Pakistan’s implosion with eight scalps among them. Kuldeep finished with figures of 4-0-30-4.
When India was reeling at 20 for three after four overs, Tilak and Sanju Samson were confronted with a fierce test of skill and character. While the duo unfurled a fine mix of drives, pulls and sweeps in their 57-run partnership, there was also sensibility in playing the situation. Just when the pendulum was again swinging India’s way, though, Samson sliced Abrar Ahmed to backward point.
With India requiring 64 runs from the final six overs, Tilak eased some of the pressure by taking down Haris Rauf in a 17-run over, notably pummelling a short ball past deep backward square leg for six.
It brought the equation down to 47 from the final five overs. Tilak’s composure was complemented by Shivam Dube, who struck timely hits beyond the boundary to keep India ahead. With eight needed off the last five balls after Dube’s dismissal in the 19th over, Tilak struck a stunning six off Rauf.
That Pakistan went down was also due to its implosion with the bat. Having raced to 113 for one, the Men in Green lost their last nine wickets for 33 runs.
While Kuldeep inflicted maximum damage, Varun and Axar took two scalps each. For Pakistan, openers Sahibzada Farhan (57, 38b, 5×4, 3×6) and Fakhar Zaman (46, 35b, 2×4, 2×6) were the shining specks.
With Farhan getting into the groove against Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan was untroubled at 32 for none in four overs. It was then that Suryakumar introduced spin. Initially, Pakistan dictated terms. Farhan found a boundary over mid-off in Axar’s opening over. When Kuldeep erred with a half-tracker in his first over, the 29-year-old rocked back and dispatched the ball into the West Asian night sky.
But Varun’s dismissal of Farhan curbed an 84-run stand and sparked India’s comeback. A few hours later, it was fireworks for an Indian win that lit up the night sky.