Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo source: BCCI)
India registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first, but his side struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
The innings got off to a disastrous start for Pakistan, with Hardik Pandya striking on the very first ball to dismiss Saim Ayub for a duck, his second of the tournament. Mohammad Haris, Pakistan’s hero from the previous match against Oman, also fell cheaply to Jasprit Bumrah. Although Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman attempted to steady the innings, Axar Patel removed Zaman to push Pakistan further on the back foot.
Skipper Agha managed just three runs off 12 balls, while Farhan top-scored with 40 in an otherwise faltering batting effort. In the death overs, Shaheen Afridi offered some late resistance, smashing an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls, including four sixes, to lift Pakistan to 127/9 in their 20 overs. India’s spinners dominated, with Kuldeep Yadav starring once again by claiming 3/18, while Bumrah and Axar chipped in with two wickets each.
Chasing 126, India made light work of the target, finishing the job in just 15.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided a blazing start with 31 off 13 balls, setting the tone for the chase. The Men in Blue skipper Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with a composed 47, guiding his side home comfortably. With this win, India collected two more points and handed Pakistan their first defeat of the tournament.
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