A tournament dominated by hostility over Indian players opting out of handshakes, and Pakistan ones miming gunshots, was decided when the latter shot themselves in the foot to place the trophy in the hands of the former.
The best that could be said for Pakistan was that they battled hard with the ball and in the field, taking the game to its final over. But it was not enough to remedy the batting implosion which cost them any realistic hopes of an upset.
As it was, Tilak Varma, the 22-year-old left-hander, showed the coolness required to complete India’s defence of the Asia Cup title - although the previous edition was in the 50-over format.
Varma finished unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls as India closed out a five-wicket win over their neighbours in front of a frenzied crowd at the Dubai International Stadium while chasing a tricky target of 147.
Any hopes that the ill-feeling that preceded the final might dissipate at the last were fanciful. Ahead of the toss, the antagonism had reached the point that each captain only conducted an interview with a commentator of their own nationality.
Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha did not acknowledge each other, let alone shake hands. Suryakumar won the flip of the coin, then pronounced to Ravi Shastri, the Indian commentator, that his side would bowl.
After talking through some standard pre-game fare, the Indian captain then headed back to his team, leaving Agha to his interview, which was conducted by Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan fast bowler.
Even Jasprit Bumrah, who is usually the smiling, silent assassin of the Indian bowling attack, was moved to chirp. He had words for Sahibzada Farhan, and the Pakistan opener bit back.
Farhan has enjoyed the better of that battle over the past two games, though. He made a second successive half century against India in this Asia Cup, and was on his best behaviour when celebrating it.
He had been warned by Richie Richardson, the ICC match referee, for toasting his previous milestone against the same opposition by pretending to use his bat as a rifle.
This time round, he went for the more widely accepted option of showing his sponsors’ logo to the cameras.
While he and Fakhar Zaman were at the wicket, Pakistan looked to be constructing a genuinely challenging total for once.
India were desperate to part them, and their luck was in when Farhan holed out to deep mid-wicket off Varun Chakaravarthy. He made 57 from 38 balls, and Pakistan were on 84 in the 10th over at that point.
What followed was the sort of implosion that Pakistan specialise in – yet still needed to be seen to be believed. Amid a rash of crazy shots, they lost all 10 wickets for 61 runs, ended up bowled out for 146 with five balls left unused.
As the game seemed to be tilting inexorably towards India, the animosity resurfaced. First, when Pakistan were mid-collapse on 130-4, Suryakumar appealed for obstructing the field against Agha.
The Pakistan captain had been completing a two when the ball hit him, prompting his opposite number to enquire about a dismissal. The TV replay showed Agha had no case to answer.
Not that he made much of his stay. Pakistan’s captain was the most culpable player in his side’s batting demise, mindlessly chipping up catch off Kuldeep Yadav when on just eight.
Kuldeep, so often the tormentor of Pakistan, profited most from their implosion, taking 4-30, including three wickets in his final over.
Pakistan were at least 40 runs short of where they would have expected to be after the start they made. Early wickets was what they needed to stand a chance, and they got precisely that.
India were 20-3 after four overs of the chase, with their three big batting stars – Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar and Shubman Gill – all falling cheaply.
Just to add to the narrative, two of the catches were taken by Haris Rauf, the player who been at the centre of most of the drama in the last meeting of the two sides.
He was fined for appearing to gesture to Indian fans about the downing of jets in the game a week earlier. When he took the catch which dismissed Gill, he set about running around the outfield with his arms out, as if he was about to take flight.
It took Varma and Sanju Samson, two players who have been light on time in the middle in this tournament, to settle the defending champions’ nerves.
Cautiously, they took India to 77-3 before Samson fell to Abrar Ahmed. Again, there was angst: umpire Masudur Rahman took Abrar out of the Pakistan huddle celebrating the wicket, and had words with him. The bowler had followed Samson at close quarters after sending him on his way.
With Samson gone, Varma took the responsibility on himself. He was assisted by a fine cameo of 33 from 22 balls from Shivam Dube.
Dube went with 10 still to get from the last over. Varma was good enough to see his side through, launching a six into the stands off the second ball off Rauf which all but decided it.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2 (Heaton (og) 42', Lindelof 64')
Aston Villa 2 (Grealish 11', Mings 66')
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
