By Bhaga Warkhade
Whether in war or cricket, mentality matters the most. A nation with stronger resolve—its army or its cricketers—emerges victorious. Following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s stern response through “Operation Sindoor,” the Asia Cup final against Pakistan carried more than sporting significance. For India, defeat was unthinkable. Victory was the only option. And it was a 22-year-old youngster, Tilak Varma, who rose to the occasion and played the defining innings of his career.
Match Summary
Chasing a target of 147, India collapsed to 20 for 3, losing openers Abhishek Sharma (5), skipper Suryakumar Yadav (1), and Shubman Gill (12). Under immense pressure, Tilak first steadied the innings with a 57-run stand alongside Sanju Samson (24 off 21), and later forged a 60-run partnership with Shivam Dube (33 off 22). Tilak’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls(3 fours, 4 sixes) anchored India’s chase.
The finishing touch came from Rinku Singh, playing his first match of the tournament, who struck the winning boundary off the fourth ball of the final over. India sealed a five-wicket victory and lifted the Asia Cup for a record ninth time.
Pakistan’s Collapse
Earlier, Pakistan looked set for a 200-plus score at 107/1 in 12 overs, with openers Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) laying a strong platform. But Kuldeep Yadav turned the tide, dismissing Sam Ayub and triggering a collapse. He finished with 4 wickets, while Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah shared the rest. Pakistan folded for 146 in 19.1 overs, failing to last their full quota.
Rauf Mocked, Bumrah Responds
Controversy also surrounded Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, who had previously mocked India with a gesture referencing plane crashes—an allusion to false Pakistani propaganda about Operation Sindoor. But in the final, Rauf endured a nightmare, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs, and was dismissed by Bumrah. The Indian pacer, after taking his wicket, cheekily returned the same “airplane crash” gesture.
Abhishek Sharma Named Player of the Tournament
Despite his early dismissal in the final, opener Abhishek Sharma was declared Player of the Tournament for amassing 314 runs at a strike rate of 200, including three half-centuries. His consistency gave India blazing starts throughout the campaign.
This win marked India’s eighth consecutive T20 victory against Pakistan, extending an unbeaten streak since the 2022 Asia Cup. The two teams will meet again at the 2026 T20 World Cup, where India will host the tournament, though Pakistan’s matches are slated to be played in Sri Lanka.
Trophy Presentation Drama
The final was overshadowed by a dramatic standoff during the post-match ceremony. Though the match ended at midnight, the presentation was delayed until 1:15 AM. The Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Home Minister, PCB Chairman, and currently the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Reports suggest that the Indian players had decided beforehand that they would not take the trophy from Naqvi due to his overtly anti-India stance. As per ACC protocol, Naqvi was obliged to hand over the trophy and shake hands with players, but India stood firm on its policy of maintaining no interaction with Pakistani officials, on or off the field. The boycott left the presentation stage in limbo for over an hour, before a compromise was reached.
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