'He set the tone beautifully...': Morne Morkel lavishes praise on Shivam Dube for remarkable all-round effort in Asia Cup final

India bowling coach Morne Morkel hailed Shivam Dube for his stellar all-round display against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.The latter surprisingly opened the bowling for the Men in Blue in the penultimate clash and went on to bowl three economical overs in his spell. Dube only gave 23 runs in the final which is impressive for a player who isn't well known for his bowling. Despite being inexperienced in the department, the 32-year-old didn't make it easy for the Pakistan batters to score runs against him.

Dube then went on to play a valiant inning of 33 which helped India in reaching the 147-run target with just two deliveries left to spare. He formed a 60-run stand alongside Tilak Varma when the team needed it the most and went on to play quite an impactful knock. Morkel pointed out how Dube helped India get back into the match with a fiery batting display and also acknowledged the all-rounder's bowling capabilities.

ALSO READ: 'I had to use my...': Sanju Samson reveals how he tackled pressure against Pakistan in Asia Cup final

"Nice opportunity for Dube and he set the tone beautifully, and what a way to finish with the bat. (On Dube's bowling) That was something we discussed, that is might be an opportunity for him to use the new ball. Unfortunately, he (Hardik) got injured and he (Dube) had to step up," Morkel said after India's victory over Pakistan in the final.

India's record-extending triumph

Meanwhile, India recorded their ninth Asia Cup triumph by defeating Pakistan in what was quite an entertaining match. This victory not only asserted their dominance over their arch-rivals, but also proved that they are the best cricket team when it comes to the Asian continent. The Men in Blue went on to remain unbeaten in the tournament, winning seven matches on a trott and showcasing their dominance in almost every game.

How many times did India beat Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025?

Notably, India's victory in the final was the third time that they defeated Pakistan in the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav & Co. had handed losses to the Men in Green in both the group and Super 4 stage before defeating them on the third occasion as well, and this time in the all-important final.