Published on, Sept. 29 -- September 29, 2025 6:23 AM

The Asia Cup final in Dubai was billed as cricket's greatest rivalry on its grandest stage. For the first 13 overs, Pakistan lived the script. Sahibzada Farhan, often written off as surplus, chose the biggest night of his career to silence every critic. His 57 off 38 was precise, confident, and disruptive. Fakhar Zaman backed him with 46. At 113 for one, India looked rattled, and the crowd, overwhelmingly green, roared its belief. This was Pakistan's moment.

And then came Kuldeep Yadav. What should have been a launchpad became a freefall. From 113 for one, Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out in 19.1 overs. Nine wickets for 33 runs. Kuldeep did not just bowl; he suffocated. Varying pace,...