India beat Pakistan by five wickets to win record ninth Asia Cup T20 crown

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim their ninth Asia Cup title on Sunday, with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten half-century and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin brilliance sealing victory in a tense final overshadowed by political undertones.

Chasing 147, India reached their target with two balls to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Tilak anchored the innings with 69 not out off 53 balls, hitting a six in the penultimate over that swung the match firmly in India’s favor.

Kuldeep earlier dismantled Pakistan’s middle order with figures of 4-30, including three wickets in one over, as the opposition collapsed from 113 for 1 to 146 all out.

Pakistan had looked well set after Sahibzada Farhan’s 57 and Fakhar Zaman’s 46 powered them to 84 without loss by the halfway stage. But once Varun Chakravarthy removed both openers, India’s spinners seized control.

Pakistan's Haris Rauf is bowled out by India's Jasprit Bumrah. Reuters

The collapse saw Pakistan lose nine wickets for just 33 runs. Three batters – Mohammad Haris, Shaheen Afridi, and Faheem Ashraf – fell without scoring. Jasprit Bumrah ended the innings with a fiery spell, dismissing Haris Rauf and mocking Pakistan’s military-style wicket celebrations with a pointed gesture of his own.

India’s reply started shakily. Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Afridi reduced them to 20 for 3, dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and captain Suryakumar Yadav cheaply. But Tilak rebuilt with Sanju Samson (24) and later Shivam Dube (33), putting India back on course.

Pakistan’s bowlers fought back to keep the game alive until the final over. But Tilak’s composure under pressure carried India across the line at 147 for 5.

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (C-back) walks past his Pakistani counterpart Salman Agha after the toss before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket final match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. AFP

The win gave India a record-extending ninth Asia Cup crown and another triumph over their fiercest rivals.

The match carried tension beyond cricket. Both teams again refused to shake hands before the start, continuing a controversy that has followed the tournament. India’s Suryakumar Yadav had earlier declined handshakes with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, while Pakistani players celebrated dismissals with military salutes.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson had urged his side to “just focus on cricket,” but emotions spilled over once more in Dubai.

India entered the final unbeaten in six games and as heavy favorites. Their strength across batting and bowling again proved decisive as they extended their dominance over Pakistan in T20 internationals.