Asia Cup 2025 | In one of the most anticipated encounters of the Asia Cup 2025, India showcased their supremacy over arch-rivals Pakistan, securing a commanding 7-wicket victory in the Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest target of 128, the defending champions cruised home with 4.1 overs to spare, virtually booking their place in the Super Four stage. The win extends India’s unbeaten streak against Pakistan in T20Is to eight matches, underscoring their dominance in this storied rivalry.
The match, despite the electric atmosphere generated by a sea of Indian fans outside the venue, was played under the shadow of boycott calls in India amid geopolitical tensions.
Reports of empty seats in the 25,000-capacity stadium highlighted the impact of the #BoycottINDvPAK movement, with many fans opting out to prioritize national sentiments over the spectacle.
However, for those who tuned in, it was a clinical display by Suryakumar Yadav’s men, blending sharp bowling with composed batting.
- Asia Cup 2025 | India Thrashed Pakistan in a Dominant Clash
- Asia Cup 2025 | Sri Lanka Beat Bangladesh by 6 Wickets
- Asia Cup 2025 | PAK Thrash OMA by 93 Runs in Group A
- Bangladesh Cruises to Victory Over Hong Kong by 7 Wickets
- India Started with a Flying Victory against UAE
The Build-Up: Rivalry Reignited in the Desert
The Asia Cup 2025, the 17th edition of the continental tournament, is being hosted entirely in the UAE from September 9 to 28, featuring eight teams in a T20I format. India, with a record eight titles, entered as defending champions after their 2023 hybrid-model triumph.
Pakistan, winners in 2000 and 2012, arrived with momentum from a recent tri-nation series victory over Afghanistan and UAE in Sharjah.
Both teams started strong in Group A: India thrashed hosts UAE by nine wickets, bowling them out for 57, while Pakistan demolished Oman by 93 runs, defending 160/7 after skittling them for 67.
The head-to-head record favored India heavily, with 10 wins in 13 T20Is, including a nervy six-run victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry, spin-friendly pitch at Dubai, where temperatures hovered around 35°C with no rain interruptions expected. The decision backfired spectacularly as India’s spinners orchestrated a collapse.
Pakistan’s Batting Woes: A Tale of Early Collapse and Late Resistance in Asia Cup
Pakistan’s innings got off to a nightmare start, crumbling to the wicket on 1st ball. Openers Saim Ayub fell for ducks in the first ball of the innings and Mohammad Harris for 3 in the next overs bowled by Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah respectively, leaving the score at 6/2.
Fakhar Zaman provided a brief respite, smashing 17 off 12 balls, but Axar Patel struck in his opening over, trapping him lbw to make it 45/3. Captain Salman Ali Agha, promoted up the order, labored to 3 off 12 before Axar returned to dismiss him, extending Pakistan’s misery to 49/4.
Kuldeep Yadav then unleashed havoc, claiming three wickets in quick succession: Hasan Nawaz (caught for 5), Mohammad Nawaz (bowled for 0), and Sahibzada Farhan (40), putting Pakistan at 64/6 in 13 overs. Kuldeep was on a hat-trick but missed it narrowly.
Lower-order cameos from Shaheen Afridi (33* off 16, including three sixes) and Faheem Ashraf (11) pushed Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs, but it was never going to be enough on a pitch assisting spin.
India’s bowling figures were outstanding: Axar Patel (2/18), Kuldeep Yadav (3/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/28), with Hardik (1/34) and Varun Chakravarthy (1/24) providing early breakthroughs. The spinners exploited the dry surface, conceding just 4.5 runs per over collectively.
India’s Clinical Chase in Asia Cup: Suryakumar Steers the Ship
Needing 128, India lost Shubman Gill early (10 off 7, Stumped by Mohammad Harris), but Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13) and Tilak Varma (31 off 31) steadied the innings.
Saim Ayub, switching to bowling, claimed two quick wickets – Abhishek and Tilak – to make it 97/3, but the required rate was under control at 5 runs per over.
Enter Suryakumar Yadav, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls (five fours, one sixes), blending finesse with aggression. Supported by Shivam Dube’s 10* off 7, India reached 131/3 in 15.5 overs.
Saim Ayub (3/35) was Pakistan’s standout bowler, but Shaheen Afridi (0/23) and Sufiyan Muqeem (0/25) conceded more than 10 runs per Over in their Spell.
Key Performances and Turning Points
- Bowling Stars: Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket haul was pivotal, dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. Axar Patel’s economical spell (2/10 in four overs) choked the run flow early.
- Batting Anchors: Suryakumar’s unbeaten 47 runs silenced doubters, while Abhishek and Tilak’s aggressive starts laid the foundation.
- Turning Point: Pakistan’s top-order collapse to 64/6 handed India total control, turning a potential thriller into a procession.
Implications for Asia Cup 2025
With this win, India (4 points, NRR +4.793) top Group A, needing just a point from their final group game against Oman to confirm Super Four qualification. Pakistan (2 points, NRR +1.649) must beat UAE convincingly in their last match to stay alive, hoping for a favorable NRR swing.
The top two from each group advance to the Super Four stage, culminating in the final on September 28.
Read More Asia Cup 2025 | Sri Lanka Beat Bangladesh by 6 Wickets