India beat Pakistan in thriller to win ninth Asia Cup

Asia Cup, Final, Dubai

Pakistan 146 (19.1 overs): S Farhan 57 (38); K Yadav 4-30

India 150-5 (19.4 overs): Tilak 69* (53); Faheem 3-29

India won by five wickets

Scorecard

India beat Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final to retain the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

It was the third meeting between the rivals at the tournament and success for India again on Sunday landed them a ninth title.

Both sides again refused to shake hands – just as they had in the two earlier fractious encounters.

Made to bat first, Pakistan started superbly, with Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) putting together an impressive opening stand of 84.

They rallied to 113-1 with 44 balls left in the innings, but the collapse that followed would be dramatic and prove pivotal to the outcome.

With the help of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4-30) and some poor shots, India took the remaining nine wickets for just 33 runs as a shellshocked Pakistan were bundled out for 146 with five deliveries still left in their innings.

India themselves started badly in their reply and lost three wickets in the opening three overs to give Pakistan hope.

But Tilak Varma calmed things down with a fine unbeaten 69, while Shivam Dube (33) and Sanju Samson (24) provided much-needed support as they triumphed with just two balls left.

Test captain Shubman Gill said afterwards: “It’s been incredible to stay unbeaten in the tournament. When things got tough, we knew we had to take the game as deep as possible.”

Victory for India consolidated their standing as Asia’s premier side with their trophy tally in the competition now at nine, and Sri Lanka closest with six, while Pakistan have two.