The garish fountains near the boundary ropes emitted fire. Crackers wormed into the skies. Tilak Varma ran like a man possessed as soon as Rinku Singh powered Haris Rauf over mid-on for a four to wrap up a tense five-wicket victory for India over Pakistan to hoist the Asia Cup.

Tilak roared in delight, swiped the air with his fists, turned back to the Pakistani bowlers and clenched his fists after he orchestrated a last-over win over the arch-rivals. Soon, he was lost in a pile of blue shirts, climbing over him. Rinku slid to the turf and kissed it. Pakistan’s tired and deflated men trudged off to the dressing room, their tears melting with sweat. The world and continental champions, India have reasserted their dominance in the shortest format.

Moments building up to the final shot were

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