Chasing a modest target, Abhishek Sharma set the tone early with a blistering knock of 31 off just 13 balls, giving India a flying start. Though both Abhishek and Shubman Gill were dismissed by Saim Ayub, the momentum remained with India
India's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan (Pic: AFP)
Suryakumar Yadav led from the front as India delivered a commanding performance against Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash in Dubai on Sunday, winning the match by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare.
Chasing a modest target, Abhishek Sharma set the tone early with a blistering knock of 31 off just 13 balls, giving India a flying start. Though both Abhishek and Shubman Gill were dismissed by Saim Ayub, the momentum remained with India.
Tilak Varma played a steady hand before being bowled by a terrific delivery from Saim Ayub, who was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan. However, the chase was expertly anchored by Suryakumar Yadav, who remained unbeaten and finished the game in style with a massive slog-sweep six.
Earlier, India’s spinners spun a web around the Pakistani batters. The duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18) were exceptional, dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in with 2 for 28, keeping the pressure on throughout.
Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, struggled to get going and managed just 127/9 in 20 overs. At one stage, it seemed they might not even reach 100, but Shaheen Afridi’s late blitz, smashing four sixes, gave the total a touch of respectability. Sahibzada Farhan was the top scorer with 40.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 live updates: Toss
In the Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha won the toss and chose to bat first against India. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed no changes to his lineup, and Pakistan have also stuck with the same XI.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 live updates: Playing XIs
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 live updates:
Hardik Pandya takes a wicket on the very first legal ball of the match. He bowled a short delivery outside off stump, and Saim Ayub hit it straight to Jasprit Bumrah at backward point.
PAK 1/1 (0.1)
Jasprit Bumrah strikes on just the second ball of his spell! He bowled a good-length delivery with a bit of extra bounce. Mohammad Haris tried to hit it across the line but mistimed it and sent it high in the air. Hardik Pandya ran in from long-leg and took an easy catch. Pakistan are in big trouble now.
PAK 6/2 (1.2)
After losing two quick wickets, Pakistan have regained composure with Fakhar Zaman and Farhan anchoring the innings confidently. The duo is building a solid partnership, eyeing a strong total.
PAK: 42/2 (6)
Axar Patel makes an immediate impact, striking in his very first over to dismiss the dangerous Fakhar Zaman and halt Pakistan’s momentum just after the Powerplay. Bowling slower through the air at 85kph, Axar lands it on a good length outside off. The ball grips and bounces sharply, catching Salman off guard as he attempts a sweep. A thick top-edge flies to the square leg boundary, where Abhishek Sharma completes a safe catch.
PAK: 45/3 (8)
India remain firmly in control at the halfway mark, applying pressure with tight lines and timely wickets.
PAK: 49/4 (10)
Kuldeep gets two in a row, Pakistan in deep trouble as they are already six down under 100.
PAK: 72/6 (14)
A flighted delivery outside off-stump from Varun Chakravarthy was powerfully hit by Shaheen Afridi for a six. Shaheen made some room and sent the ball flying over extra cover. That was his second six in just 6 balls, valuable runs for Pakistan at a crucial stage.
PAK: 96/7 (17.2)
Varun Chakravarthy finally got a well-deserved wicket on the 22nd ball of his spell. Faheem Ashraf tried a reverse-sweep on a fuller delivery but missed it completely. The ball hit him on the front pad and the umpire gave him out LBW. Ashraf reviewed the decision, but it was unsuccessful.
PAK: 97/8 (17.4)
Just two balls later, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a low full toss to Sufiyan Muqeem. The batter tried to scoop it over fine leg but missed it, and the ball hit the leg stump. Pakistan lost their ninth wicket with just one over and two balls left.
PAK: 111/9 (19)
With only one wicket in hand and one over remaining, Pakistan will be hoping to reach as close to 120 as possible.
PAK: 127/9 (20)
Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around Pakistan’s batting lineup, but a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi helped them reach a modest total of 127
Pakistan: Fall of wickets
- 1/1 — S. Ayub (0.1 overs)
- 6/2 — M. Haris (1.2 overs)
- 45/3 — F. Zaman (7.4 overs)
- 49/4 — S. Agha (9.6 overs)
- 64/5 — H. Nawaz (12.4 overs)
- 64/6 — M. Nawaz (12.5 overs)
- 83/7 — S. Farhan (16.1 overs)
- 97/8 — F. Ashraf (17.4 overs)
- 111/9 — S. Muqeem (18.6 overs)
IND: 22/1 (2)
Saim Ayub breaks through with a crucial wicket, dismissing Shubman Gill. After hitting back-to-back boundaries, Gill tries to play back but ends up getting stumped. Now, the pressure is on as skipper Suryakumar Yadav walks in to join Abhishek Sharma at the crease.
IND: 61/2 (6)
India put on 19 more runs than Pakistan managed in their entire innings. The batsmen have been sharp, placing the ball with precision and making the most of their chances. The pressure’s on Pakistan to respond and turn the game around.
IND: 71/2 (8)
India face early setbacks with Abhishek and Gill falling in the opening four overs. However, Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav are now steadying the innings, guiding India forward in their chase.
IND: 93/2 (11)
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav bring up a well-crafted 50-run partnership, keeping India firmly on top in the chase. The duo has blended calm composure with calculated aggression, rotating strike smartly while punishing loose deliveries.
India: 100/3 (13)
Saim Ayub delivers just when his team needed it most, removing the well-set Tilak, who misses the line completely and is clean bowled. A promising knock comes to an end. Shivam Dube, the left-hander, walks in to join Suryakumar at the crease as India continue their chase.
IND: 131/3 (15.5)
A sensational slog-sweep for six off Sufiyan Muqeem brings the curtains down on a dominant Indian performance. It was a good-length delivery outside off, but SKY picked it early and launched it into the stands. India win by 7 wickets, with 25 balls to spare.
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