Hyderabad’s stylish left-hander Tilak Varma displayed remarkable poise and calculated aggression to guide India to a decisive five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup held on Sunday at a buzzing stadium. This victory marks India’s ninth title in the history of the tournament.
Chasing a modest target of 147 runs, India appeared to struggle early on, crumbling to 20 for 3 within the first five overs. However, Tilak, who remained unbeaten on a classy 69 off 53 balls, showcased his talent by forming crucial partnerships – first alongside Sanju Samson (24) and later with Shivam Dube (33 off 21). These contributions ensured India successfully chased the target in 19.4 overs, setting off wild celebrations as Rinku Singh, playing his first match of the tournament, hit the winning boundary.
The final over became a nail-biting affair as India needed 10 runs to secure victory. Tilak delivered a spectacular six off the beleaguered Haris Rauf, followed by Rinku sealing the match with a boundary, which sent the crowd into a frenzy of jubilation.
Earlier in the match, India’s decision to bowl first paid off as their spinners took charge. Pakistan had made a promising start thanks to Sahibzada Farhan (57 off 38) and Fakhar Zaman (46 off 35), who added 84 runs for the opening wicket. Yet, the innings crumbled dramatically after reaching 113 for 1, as Pakistan folded for 146 runs in 19.1 overs, losing their last nine wickets for just 33 runs. This collapse reflected a lack of adaptability to India’s spin strategies.
- Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) emerged as the chief antagonist, dismantling Pakistan’s batting order with his incisive spin.
- Axar Patel (2/26) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/30) provided solid support by consistently applying pressure.
Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) sealed Pakistan’s fate by dismissing Rauf with an expertly executed yorker, adding a cheeky send-off that resonated with the day’s tension.
- Key turning points included Tilak’s 57-run partnership with Samson, which stabilized India’s innings after the early setbacks.
- The eventual 60-run stand with Dube significantly shifted the momentum in India’s favor.
- In a pivotal moment, Haris Rauf’s 15th over, which conceded 17 runs, broke Pakistan’s spirit, shifting control back to India.
Pakistan struggled to counter India’s disciplined bowling strategies, particularly the variations introduced by the spinners as they faced an effective second half performance. Falling short of their target under pressure, Pakistan faced another defeat against India in white-ball cricket.
Match Summary
- Pakistan: 146 all out in 19.1 overs (Farhan 57, Zaman 46; Kuldeep 4/30).
- India: 150/5 in 19.4 overs (Tilak Varma 69*, Shivam Dube 33).
This victory underscores India’s dominance in white-ball cricket, reinforcing their tactical brilliance and ability to handle pressure situations with finesse. Fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in India’s cricketing saga as the team continues to evolve and inspire its supporters.
