India clinched the Asia Cup for a record ninth time, edging out rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Left-handed batter Tilak Varma stole the show with an unbeaten 69, steering India to victory under massive pressure.
India stumbled early, slumping to 20 for three, but Tilak stepped up with calm precision. He smashed three fours and four sixes, blending smart timing and cool nerves to anchor the chase. Teaming up with Shivam Dube’s 33, Tilak guided the team to 150 for five with just two balls left, capping off a tournament packed with drama.
Earlier, India’s bowlers flipped the script on Pakistan. Kuldeep Yadav starred with four wickets for 30 runs, including a deadly burst of three in the 17th over. Pakistan raced to 113 for one in 12.4 overs, eyeing a 180-plus total before a stunning collapse. They lost their last nine wickets for only 33 runs, folding at 146 in 19.1 overs.
India’s spinners dominated, grabbing eight wickets in all. Kuldeep shifted gears dramatically—from leaking 23 runs in his first two overs to snaring four for seven in his next pair. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two wickets each, while Pakistan’s batters faltered chasing lofted shots.
Brief scores: Pakistan 146 all out in 19.1 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 57, Fakhar Zaman 46; Kuldeep Yadav 4-30, Jasprit Bumrah 2-25). India 150 for five in 19.4 overs (Tilak Varma 69 not out, Shivam Dube 33; Faheem Ashraf 3-29, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-20).
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