India edge Pakistan in tense final at Dubai International Stadium
India clinched their record ninth Asia Cup crown with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai, but the triumph was overshadowed by a dramatic post-match standoff that saw the champions refuse to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.
The match itself lived up to its billing, delivering gripping cricket before politics stole the spotlight.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan began brightly as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman piled on 84 runs in just nine overs. But once their partnership was broken, the innings lost steam. Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav and a disciplined pace attack, struck at regular intervals to dismiss Pakistan for 146 in the final over.
The target of 147 looked achievable, yet Pakistan’s bowlers made early inroads to leave India reeling at 20 for 3 inside four overs.
Varma holds his nerve in match-winning knock
At that stage, young Tilak Varma and Shubman Gill took charge of the rebuild. Gill’s dismissal raised tension, but Varma found an able partner in Sanju Samson as the pair added 57 runs to tilt momentum back India’s way.
When Samson fell in the 13th over, India still had plenty to do. Enter Shivam Dube, whose aggressive stroke play in tandem with Varma changed the equation. The duo smashed 28 runs in the space of two overs, easing pressure on the chase.
Varma remained calm under pressure, crafting an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls. His knock, studded with four sixes and three boundaries, carried India across the finish line with two balls to spare — a defining moment in his blossoming career.
Celebrations
What should have been a joyous presentation ceremony turned into an unusual spectacle. With ACC chief and Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi due to hand over the trophy, the Indian team boycotted the stage, sparking confusion that delayed proceedings by more than an hour.
While Pakistan captain Salman Agha collected his side’s runners-up cheque, India’s players restricted themselves to picking up individual awards from other dignitaries. The trophy was eventually removed from the field without the customary handover.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later confirmed that the decision was unanimous. “I’ve never seen a champion team denied a trophy,” he told reporters. “But my real trophies are the 14 players and support staff who made this possible.” Yadav also pledged to donate his tournament match fees to the Indian Army.
The refusal was not entirely unexpected. India had already avoided handshakes with Pakistan across the three matches played during the tournament, reflecting the simmering off-field tensions.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the matter would be formally raised at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai. “We hope the trophy and medals are returned to the team,” he added.
Looking ahead
The 2025 edition closes with India unbeaten, reaffirming their dominance in Asia Cup history. Attention now turns to the next Asia Cup, scheduled in 2027, which will return in the ODI format as a prelude to the World Cup.
For now, India’s ninth Asia Cup title will be remembered as much for Tilak Varma’s ice-cool innings as for the unusual absence of a trophy lift in Dubai.