Pakistan lost to India for the third time in as many weeks, the latest being a five-wicket defeat in the Asia Cup final. The Pakistan side appeared to be no match for Suryakumar Yadav and Co. on paper and they didn't stand against them on the field either. India won the Asia Cup with a 5-wicket victory in the summit match, solidifying their dominance with an undefeated record.
After an impressive opening stand of 84 runs, Pakistan's innings fell apart from 113/1 to 146 all-out as the middle-order once again muddled against India's spin combination of Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.
India endured a shaky start to their chase, losing the top order with just 20 on the board, before Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma steadied the innings. Samson, however, fell for 24 to Abrar Ahmed, who marked the dismissal with his trademark send-off — a head flick to wave the batter on his way.
With the game still on the line, Tilak and Shivam Dube reconstructed the chase. Tilak eventually finished unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls, while Dube was removed in the penultimate over.
Following the encounter, Samson took pleasure with teammates in making fun of Abrar. Arshdeep Singh made fun of Pakistan spinner's characteristic celebration on Instagram. Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana joined him, and Samson enjoyed the show.
Reflecting on the high-voltage IND-PAK clash, Samson spoke about the pressure, composure, and experience needed to succeed in such contests. He lauded his partnership with Tilak Varma and noted that high-stakes encounters build character, refine skills, and serve as vital preparation for major tournaments like the upcoming World Cup.
“Really enjoyed the pressure. Not played many Indo-Pak games, but the pressure was there, I had to use my experience, calm my nerves, watch the ball and react. It came off nicely. I had a really good partnership with Tilak and enjoyed playing the game today. The game dictates what type of cricket you need to play. You have to respect the conditions and situations. That is what we have learned after years and years of cricket in the IPL, years and years of playing cricket. That's what cricket has taught us. I was looking to time the ball, and that is what has helped me. Close games are really good, and that is when your character is tested. This game was really crucial just before the World Cup. These knockout games do help us prepare for the big games coming up few months later,” Samson told broadcasters after the clash.
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