India and Pakistan delivered yet another gripping contest on Sunday, with India prevailing by five wickets to secure their ninth Asia Cup trophy. The match, played under high stakes, swung wildly before India’s composure in the final overs sealed the result.
Pakistan’s Bright Start Ends in Collapse
Pakistan looked poised for a daunting total at 113/1 in just the 13th over. Their top order handled India’s new-ball bowlers confidently until Kuldeep Yadav orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. The left-arm spinner claimed four wickets, three of them in a single over, sparking a collapse that saw Pakistan bundled out for 146 in 19.1 overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
India’s Rocky Chase Stabilised by Tilak Varma
India’s reply was far from straightforward. The top order faltered, slipping to 20/3 within the powerplay. From there, Tilak Varma showcased maturity beyond his years. His partnerships with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube steadied the innings. Varma finished unbeaten on 69 from 51 balls, guiding India toward the target. With one ball left, Rinku Singh carved a boundary to spark celebrations.
Symbolic Trophy Protest by Team India
What followed was unprecedented. Despite their triumph, the Indian players declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Their decision came in protest of the Pahalgam terror attack and ongoing military tensions. Instead, the team held a mock celebration, lifting an “imaginary trophy” in front of fans. The symbolic gesture immediately became a talking point, highlighting the political backdrop of the clash.
Earlier Dominance in Super Fours
India had already stamped authority over Pakistan earlier in the tournament during the Super Fours stage. Chasing a steep target, Abhishek Sharma’s dazzling 74 off 39 balls powered India to their highest successful run chase against Pakistan in T20 internationals. That win set the tone for the final and underscored India’s dominance throughout the competition.
