By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Sep 29, 2025 03:30 AM • 80 views
Dubai – India reaffirmed its dominance in Asian cricket by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets to lift the ACC T20 Asia Cup title on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This marks India's ninth Asia Cup triumph, adding to their victories in 1984, 1988, 1991, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, and 2023. The victory also underlined India's superiority over Pakistan in this year's edition, having already beaten them in both the group stage and the Super Four. Chasing Pakistan's modest total of 147, India reached the target with two balls to spare, thanks to a calm and decisive innings from Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on 69 off 53 deliveries, laced with four sixes and three boundaries. Varma built two crucial partnerships— a 60-run stand with Shivam Dube (33) for the sixth wicket and a 57-run stand with Sanju Samson (24) for the fifth—that anchored India's chase. Shubman Gill contributed 12 runs. For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one apiece.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Pakistan looked well-set at 113 for 1 but suffered a dramatic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs. Shehzad Farhan top-scored with 57 off 38 balls, striking five fours and three sixes, while Fakhar Zaman made 46. Only Saim Ayub (12) managed double figures among the rest, as India's bowlers tightened the noose. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav starred with four wickets, while Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up two each, dismantling Pakistan's batting order. With this victory, India not only secured the Asia Cup title for the ninth time but also sent a strong message ahead of its upcoming international assignments, once again proving its ability to deliver in high-pressure matches against its fiercest rivals.
