Pakistan's bright start with both bat and ball went in vain as they were overwhelmed by arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup T20 final on Sunday — a thrilling contest marked not just by on-field drama but also political undercurrents, including a persistent no-handshake and India's refusal to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Tilak Varma's composed, unbeaten 69 and Kuldeep Yadav's decisive four-wicket haul powered the defending champions to a five-wicket win, sealing a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title in the tournament's 41-year history.
It was the first time India and Pakistan had contested an Asia Cup final, and the match lived up to its billing. Put in to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave their side a blistering start. Farhan smashed 57 off 38 balls, including three sixes, while Zaman added 46 off 35 in an 84-run opening stand.
The breakthrough came when Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Farhan in the 10th over, after which India's spinners seized control. Kuldeep tore through the middle order in a devastating spell, taking three wickets in the 17th over alone and finishing with figures of 4-30. Pakistan collapsed from 113-1 to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, losing nine wickets for just 33 runs. Axar Patel (2-20), Jasprit Bumrah (2-26) and Chakravarthy (2-29) shared the remaining spoils.
Chasing 147, India were rocked early. Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed reduced them to 20-3 inside four overs, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (1), Shubman Gill (12) and Abhishek Sharma (5) back in the pavilion cheaply.
Varma, however, stood firm. The 22-year-old left-hander steadied the innings in a 57-run stand with Sanju Samson (24) and then added 60 with Shivam Dube (33 off 22). Despite Dube's late dismissal, Varma struck three fours and four sixes in his 53-ball knock to keep India on track.
With 10 required from the final over, Varma launched Haris Rauf for a six before Rinku Singh struck the winning boundary, sealing victory with two balls to spare. India finished on 147-5, their third successive win over Pakistan in this tournament following earlier triumphs in the group stage and Super Four.
The politically charged backdrop extended to the post-match ceremony. Reports said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had directed the team not to receive the trophy from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board. After delays, Naqvi stood on stage with Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni but did not engage with the Indian team.
Tensions simmered throughout the tournament, coming just months after deadly cross-border clashes. The final itself saw Bumrah mocking Rauf with a gesture after bowling him out, in response to earlier taunts. Players from both sides maintained a no-handshake stance throughout, while Pakistan drew criticism for provocative celebrations, including Farhan's gun mimicry and Rauf's military references.
Seen as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka early next year, the Asia Cup underscored both India's cricketing dominance and the persistent strains shadowing Indo-Pakistan encounters.
(AGENCIES WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
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