India crowned Asia Cup champions for the 9th time after Tilak Varma’s match-winning knock
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim their ninth Asia Cup title, thanks to a determined innings by Tilak Varma, whose fighting performance proved too much for Pakistan’s bowling attack.
The Asia Cup is contested in both ODI and T20 formats. This year’s edition was played in the T20 format as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The T20 format was first introduced to the Asia Cup in 2016. India also won the previous tournament in 2023, which was played in the ODI format.
In the final held today (28) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan set a target of 147 runs. In response, India reached 150 for 5 wickets in 19.4 overs to secure victory.
Tilak Varma was the architect of India’s win, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 53 deliveries, which included nine fours and four sixes. He held firm at the crease for over an hour and a half, guiding his team home.
Earlier, India’s opener Abhishek Sharma, who had provided quick starts throughout the tournament, was dismissed for just 5 runs. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav also fell cheaply, scoring under 20.
However, strong partnerships built by Varma with Sanju Samson (57 runs off 50 balls for the fourth wicket) and Shivam Dube (60 runs off 40 balls for the fifth wicket) ensured India’s path to victory.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/20) and Faheem Ashraf (3/29) bowled effectively, but Haris Rauf’s expensive spell — conceding 50 runs in just 3.4 overs — proved costly.
Batting first after being invited by India, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 runs in 19.1 overs.
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