India clinched a brilliant five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final and lifted their record ninth title. Arshdeep Singh, who didn’t
feature in the XI for the big clash, stole the spotlight online after recreating the iconic “final match you perform, what's happening?” moment with India’s hero of the night, Tilak Varma.
Chasing 147, the Men in Blue were reduced to 20/3 after a brilliant new-ball spell from Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf. But Tilak held one end, anchoring the chase with a match-winning 69* off 53 balls. He stitched crucial partnerships with Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33 off 21) before finishing the game with two balls to spare. Post the match, Arshdeep made a humorous reel with Tilak that went viral.
Channeling the viral meme, Arshdeep asked Tilak after the final, “Final match you perform, what's happening?” To which Tilak replied, “Nothing happening, no one to tell, ground is empty.” The pacer repeated the question, to which bthe atter changed his answer, “A lot of happening, winning celebration, and lot of happening.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan began strongly with Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century, taking them to 107/1 after 12 overs. But just when they looked for a big finish, Kuldeep Yadav (4/30) triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost nine wickets for just 33 runs, bundling out for 146 with five balls.
However, India’s chase wasn’t straightforward as the top order collapsed. But Tilak paced his innings brilliantly. He absorbed the pressure early on before shifting gears in the death overs. His partnership with Dube turned the game, and Rinku Singh finished it off with a boundary as India sealed a narrow win. Notably, the post-match presentation ceremony was delayed by over an hour as Pakistan’s players took their time coming out of the dressing room. Eventually, at the presentation party, the southpaw earned the Player of the Match award for his heroics.
"It was pressure. They were bowling well. They were mixing the pace up. I was breathing and trying to stay calm. Fantastic knock from Samson. The way Dube batted under pressure was helpful and important for the country. We have prepared for every position. You should be flexible. I was prepared to bat at any position. I was backing my game. When the wickets are on the slower side, I have talked to Gauti sir and have worked hard. One of the most special knocks of my life. This is for all the Indians," Varma said at the post-match interview.
