DUBAI:

Pakistan's bright start with both bat and ball went in vain as they were overwhelmed by arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup T20 final on Sunday — a thrilling contest marked not just by on-field drama but also political undercurrents, including a persistent no-handshake and India's refusal to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Tilak Varma's composed, unbeaten 69 and Kuldeep Yadav's decisive four-wicket haul powered the defending champions to a five-wicket win, sealing a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title in the tournament's 41-year history.

It was the first time India and Pakistan had contested an Asia Cup final, and the match lived up to its billing. Put in to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farha

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