Hyderabad – Winning the Asia Cup was the “best reply” to an aggressive opposition, middle-order batter Tilak Varma said on Tuesday, revealing that he aced an initial bout of pressure and verbal volleys by Pakistan players en route his match winning half-century in the title clash.

Tilak made an unbeaten 69 to guide India to a five-wicket win over their arch-rivals at Dubai last Sunday.

“There was some pressure and nerves initially. But I have placed my country ahead of everything else and I wanted to win the match for the country. I knew If I succumbed to the pressure at that time I would be letting down myself and 140 crore people of the country,” Tilak said after his arrival from Dubai last night.

“I believed in the basics that I learned as a young cricketer from my coaches and execu

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