Watch: Pakistan’s 'IPL-Mumbai' sledge backfires horribly as Tilak Varma annihilates them in Asia Cup final

India won the Asia Cup title on Sunday, September 28, thanks to Tilak Varma. Chasing a modest target of 147 set by Pakistan, India got off to a shaky start, but Tilak Varma managed to bring the side back into the game with his valiant efforts in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai.

His composed batting guided India through the pressure moments and ensured a steady chase. The young left-handed batter played a memorable knock of 69 runs off 53 balls to help India beat Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday in Dubai.

Haris Rauf’s sledge fails as Tilak Varma powers India home

During India’s tense chase, Pakistan keeper Mohammad Haris tried to unsettle Tilak Varma with a sharp sledge. As Faheem Ashraf bowled in the sixth over and India struggled at 20/3, the Pakistani keeper tried to get under Tilak’s skin by mocking IPL and his team, the Mumbai Indians (MI).

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Haris shouted from behind the stumps, “This is not Mumbai; this is not the IPL.” However, Tilak remained completely focused on his job and ignored the jibe. The young Indian batter decided to let his performance on the field speak instead of responding to Rauf.

They were saying to Tilak "Ye mumbai nahi hai, iPl nahi hai"
He replied with bat 🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/2LvdR8iftl

— ROYAL BHARAT (INDIAN)🇮🇳 (@royal_mogile) September 29, 2025

After the Indian team slumped to 20/3, Tilak steadied the innings alongside Sanju Samson, as they stitched a 57-run partnership against Pakistan. The 23-year-old southpaw then made a 60-run partnership with Shivam Dubey and took the side over the line.

What a star: Andhra Pradesh CM hails Tilak Varma

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu lauded Tilak Varma for his match-winning performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday in Dubai.

Naidu posted on X: “What a star! Our Telugu boy, Tilak Varma, absolutely owned the pitch with a match-winning innings to take India to victory! His composure and brilliance under pressure are inspiring. This is the fire Telugu boys are made of. Well done, Tilak, we’re proud of you!”

What a star! Our Telugu boy, Tilak Varma, absolutely owned the pitch with a match-winning innings to take India to victory! His composure and brilliance under pressure are inspiring. This is the fire Telugu boys are made of. Well done, Tilak, we’re proud of you! #INDvPAK… pic.twitter.com/ukku3pDwJE

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 29, 2025

Notably, Tilak hails from Hyderabad and represents the city in domestic cricket. In the IPL, he plays for the Mumbai Indians, where he has been making a name for himself with his aggressive yet composed batting. And now, he proved his worth on the biggest stage in the high-voltage game.

Read Also: 'Delusional' Salman Agha shockingly claims 'Pakistan still ahead of India' despite Asia Cup 2025 humiliation

BCCI to escalate Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy to ICC

Well, India’s thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final ended in a filmy drama. They refused to accept the trophy and winners’ medals from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairperson and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head.

Naqvi is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister. After which, the PCB boss personally took the Asia Cup trophy and medals with him, leaving the Indian team without their awards. Despite the absence of trophies, the Men in Blue celebrated their hard-earned victory on the field.

The BCCI has already made it clear that they took the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The board simply said that the players refused to take the trophy from Naqvi only because he also leads Pakistan cricket.

Read Also: "3 Blows, 0 Response": BCCI attacks Pakistan, flexes financial muscle with ₹21 Crore prize money for India post-Asia Cup win