Post by : Rameen Ariff

Dubai: India lifted their ninth Asia Cup title after a thrilling five-wicket victory against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The win extended India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan in this year’s tournament, having already defeated their arch-rivals in the group stage and the Super Four.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, India watched as Pakistan made a bright start with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman stitching together an 84-run stand in just nine overs. But once the pair was separated, Pakistan’s batting crumbled, and they were eventually bowled out for 146 runs in the final over.

Chasing 147, India found themselves in trouble early, reduced to 20 for 3 within the first four overs as Faheem Ashraf led Pakistan’s bowling charge. Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma tried to steady the innings, but Gill’s dismissal kept the pressure on. Sanju Samson then joined Varma to put together a vital 57-run stand, before falling in the 13th over.

The game turned when Shivam Dube partnered with Varma, adding quick runs in the middle overs. Their calculated aggression brought India closer to the target, and despite the tense finish, Varma held firm. The 22-year-old finished unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, guiding India to victory with two balls to spare. His composure under pressure earned him praise as the standout performer of the night.

However, the celebrations were overshadowed by confusion during the post-match ceremony. ACC President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stood awkwardly on stage as the Indian players declined to participate in the trophy handover. The trophy was eventually removed from the ground without a formal presentation, leaving fans and players disappointed.

Speaking to reporters, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav described the situation as “extraordinary,” saying it was the first time he had seen a champion team denied the chance to lift a trophy. He announced that he would donate his match fees from the tournament to the Indian Army, dedicating the victory to their service. Yadav also praised his team’s unbeaten campaign, crediting the contributions of Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Sanju Samson in sealing the historic win.

Despite the unusual ending, celebrations poured in from across India. President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the team on their success and wished them continued glory in the future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his message, compared the final to “Operation Sindoor,” saying the outcome remained unchanged — India won again.

With this triumph, India further cemented their dominance in Asia Cup history, claiming a record ninth title. The tournament will next return in 2027 in the ODI format, serving as preparation for the 50-over World Cup scheduled later that year

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