NEW DELHI: Dubai witnessed unforgettable drama on Sunday night as India edged past arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a nail-biting Asia Cup 2025 final, sparking wild celebrations at the International Cricket Stadium.
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Rinku Singh, who replaced the injured Hardik Pandya, struck the winning boundary, the entire Indian team erupted in joy, racing onto the field to embrace Tilak Varma and Rinku in scenes of pure ecstasy.
Amidst weeks of political posturing, gesture controversies, and the no-handshake row, it was cricket that finally stole the spotlight. True to the saying that “an India-Pakistan clash is not for the faint-hearted,” the summit clash lived up to its billing, going right down to the final over.
WATCH: India's winning runs and wild celebrationsChasing 147, India stumbled to 20/3 and later 77/4, but Tilak Varma’s calm and gritty unbeaten 69 off 53 balls turned the tide. His crucial 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube (33) anchored the chase before Rinku applied the finishing touches. With 10 needed off the final over, Tilak smashed a six before Rinku sealed the win with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav set the tone with a magnificent spell of 4/30, triggering a Pakistani collapse. From a strong 113/1, Pakistan were bundled out for 146 in 19.1 overs. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) had threatened to take the game away, but Kuldeep’s wrist spin dismantled the middle order, including three wickets in the 17th over.
Team India celebrates after the win. (Pic credit: BCCI)
Tensions remained high throughout.
Jasprit Bumrah reignited the fire by imitating Haris Rauf’s controversial gesture from an earlier clash after bowling him out. The final, like the previous two meetings, saw no handshakes at toss or at the end, underlining the political undertones of the rivalry.
Yet, in front of a packed crowd dominated by Indian fans, India’s cricketing class prevailed. This was India’s third win over Pakistan in the tournament and a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title.
As Tilak and Rinku leapt in celebration, the roar of the Dubai stands made one thing clear: amid all the noise, it is cricket that continues to unite and thrill.
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