Asia Cup Final in Dubai: Tilak Verma's fifty makes dramatic win for India
Asia Cup Final in Dubai: Tilak Verma's fifty makes dramatic win for India
The cricketing world witnessed breathtaking excitement in the high-voltage match between India and Pakistan in the final of the 17th Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. This report tells the story of India's dramatic victory after a flying start by Pakistan and a dramatic batting disaster by Tilak Verma.
Pakistan's innings: Collapse from a flying start
Batting first, the Pakistan team had a great start. They scored 100 runs in just 11.2 overs. With the aggressive batting of the openers, it seemed that they were on their way to 200-plus runs. But Pakistan's batting lineup was suddenly caught by the skill and technique of the Indian bowlers. The middle and lower order batsmen went back to the pavilion one by one. As a result, Pakistan were bowled out for just 146 runs. Of particular note among the Indian bowlers was their spin attack, which served as a key factor in Pakistan's batting collapse.
India's Beginnings: Shadows of Disaster
Chasing a target of 147 runs, India stumbled at the start. Opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been in great form in the tournament, was caught by Haris Rauf off Faheem Ashraf for just 5 runs. India lost the first wicket for just 7 runs. In the next over, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was trapped by Shaheen Afridi's slow delivery. He was caught in a great catch by Salman Agar at mid-off after scoring only 1 run.
Suryakumar has consistently failed in this tournament. His total runs are only 100 in 11 matches this year. He did not get runs off the bat in the final either, which was a cause for concern for the Indian camp. Fahim Ashraf then struck again, sending back Shubman Gill (12). Haris Rauf also took his catch at mid-on. Losing 3 wickets for 20 runs in just 4 overs, India is in dire straits.
Return of Tilak Verma: Hero of Joy
In this difficult situation, India came back in the match with the bat of Tilak Verma and Sanju Samson. Tilak relieved the team by picking up 11 runs against Fahim Ashraf in the sixth over of the powerplay with a four and a six. Then in the ninth over, Sanju Samson took a catch at deep mid off off Abrar Ahmed, but Pakistani fielder Hussain Talat missed an easy catch. Samson then personal 12 runs. This mistake turned the match for Pakistan.
Tilak and Samson formed an important partnership of 57 runs. Both of them took the opportunity to score boundaries as well as change ends with runs and took the team ahead. But Abrar Ahmed broke the pair, forcing Samson to be caught at backward point for 24 runs.
Final thrill: Tilak's finishing touch
Towards the end of the match, the pressure of run rate was increasing on India. But Tilak Verma freed the team by scoring 17 runs in the 15th over against Haris Rauf with two fours and a six. In this over he completed his personal fifty off 41 balls. Abrar scored 11 runs in the next over to make India's winning equation 36 runs in 4 overs.
At the end, Duber's out spread the thrill of the match. However, his 60-run partnership with Tilak pretty much ensured India's victory. India needed 10 runs in the last over. Tilak sealed India's victory with just 2 balls in hand with a four and a six. His unbeaten fifty and responsible batting led India to the Asia Cup title.
In this match, Pakistan's bowlers pressured India early but Tilak Verma's tenacity and his partnership with Sanju Samson decided the fate of the match. Pakistan's fielding errors and Tilak's calm batting gave India the win. Such a dramatic victory in the final of the Asia Cup will remain in the minds of cricket lovers for a long time.
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