Dubai, Sep 29 (NationPress) India's bowling coach Morne Morkel praised his team’s strength and determination after they maintained their composure to defeat Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling Asia Cup 2025 final held at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, securing their ninth title in this prestigious tournament.

The spotlight shone on 21-year-old Tilak Varma, who played a crucial role in India's chase with a stellar performance, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 51 balls. Coming in at a precarious 20/3, he hit three fours and four sixes, forming essential partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), ultimately leading India to victory with two balls remaining.

“A remarkable performance by the boys tonight. We faced some challenges during the second innings. Our Power-play wasn’t optimal, but the players adapted well to the conditions with the ball. It was a great opportunity for (Shivam) Dube, who set the pace perfectly, and what an incredible finish,” Morkel remarked during the post-match presentation.

He elaborated on how an injury to Hardik Pandya prompted the management to give Shivam Dube a chance with the new ball. “We discussed that this could be a valuable opportunity for him. Unfortunately, Hardik was injured, and Dube had to rise to the occasion.”

With matches coming thick and fast in Dubai, Morkel acknowledged the importance of recovery and mental readiness. “Our practice sessions are focused; the players know how to prepare themselves. The heat in Dubai required effective management. We had numerous back-to-back games, making recovery crucial. It was about who could maintain their composure. The partnership between Shivam and Tilak was pivotal.”

Rinku Singh had the final say, hitting the winning boundary on the sole delivery he faced. “Just one ball (he chuckles when asked about his contributions in the tournament). I aimed to support the team and was fortunate to hit the winning runs,” he stated. “I’m known to be a finisher. Even if it was just one ball, I was ready to seal the game.”

Earlier, Pakistan squandered a promising position at 113/1 in the 13th over, derailed by Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul – including three in a pivotal 17th over – leading to their collapse at 146 all out in 19.1 overs. Kuldeep, after conceding 23 runs in his first two overs, made a stunning comeback with four wickets for just seven runs in his next two, while Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah contributed two wickets each.

Despite initial setbacks in the chase, India’s middle order handled the pressure effectively and delivered when it mattered most, ensuring the team finished the Asia Cup unbeaten for the first time since their 2018 victory, which also occurred on September 28.