India have beaten Pakistan by five wickets in the final to retain the Asia Cup, capping a remarkable unbeaten run with their third victory against their arch-rivals at this year’s tournament. Finishing the whole tournament unbeaten — it’s pretty amazing to be in this position,” India vice-captain Shubman Gill said, summing up their feelings after clinching their ninth Asia Cup title. Emotions had run high around the contest between the neighbours who engaged in a military conflict in May, and India refused the trophy seemingly because of the presence of Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board boss Mohsin Naqvi on the podium. They slumped to 3-20 after the exit of Gill but Varma and Sanju Samson (24) rebuilt the innings. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Samson to break the 57-run stand but Dube combined with Varma to take India closer to the target before falling in the penultimate over.