India claimed a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash, extending their recent dominance in this storied cricket rivalry despite not playing a flawless game. While India’s top order fired with aggressive intent, fielding lapses and the occasional bowling wobble highlighted that their performance was far from their clinical best but it was still more than enough against a Pakistan side struggling to keep pace.

Match Summary: Abhishek and Gill Lay the Foundation

India’s pursuit of Pakistan’s competitive total of 171/5 was headlined by a sensational opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39 balls) and Shubman Gill (47 off 28). The duo smashed 105 runs in just 59 balls, immediately putting India in the driving seat and rattling Pakistan’s bowling attack. Sharma’s 24-ball half-century was the fastest by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, underlining his current form and intent.

Tilak Varma chipped in with a calm, unbeaten 30* as India chased down the target in just 18.5 overs, ultimately reaching 174/4 at a brisk run rate of 9.23. Pakistan’s bowlers barring a tight spell from Haris Rauf struggled for penetration, with star names like Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed put to the sword.

Imperfect but Unstoppable: India’s Performance

Despite the emphatic win, India’s showing was blemished by uncharacteristic lapses in the field. The team dropped as many as five catches through the innings, with Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Shivam Dube all guilty. Jasprit Bumrah, too, had an off day, conceding 45 runs in his four overs and going wicketless a stark contrast to his usual miserly standards. Yet the Indian team displayed depth: Shivam Dube picked up two crucial wickets and the bowlers reined in Pakistan after a bright start, restricting them to a below-par flourish at the death.

India’s chase wobbled briefly in the middle overs, losing three wickets quickly after the 100-run stand ended, but the depth in their batting and the foundation laid by the openers ensured there was never any genuine panic.

The Rivalry: One-Sided in Recent Years

This result marks India’s second consecutive win over Pakistan in this Asia Cup edition and continues a broader pattern of dominance. Since 2022, Pakistan have managed just one significant victory over India in ICC or ACC tournaments compared with numerous Indian wins both in high-pressure encounters and routine group games. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav went so far as to suggest the term “rivalry” no longer fits, quipping in the post-match press conference:

“If it’s 13-0, 10-1, I am not sure what the stat is. I feel we played better cricket than them… this is not a rivalry anymore.”

The chasm is now evident in multiple formats and venues, a far cry from the neck-and-neck contests of the 2000s. India’s superior depth, composure in big moments, and ability to absorb pressure have turned these showdowns almost into foregone conclusions lately, especially in both T20 World Cups and Asia Cups.

Key Takeaways

• India’s fielding and middle-overs composure were tested, with five dropped catches and a mini-collapse, but the team’s depth and top-order firepower papered over the cracks.
• Pakistan’s promising start – thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 and a 72-run partnership with Saim Ayub was squandered as India’s bowlers, led by Dube, struck back at crucial moments.
• India’s record in T20 chases against Pakistan is now a perfect 8-0, further feeding the narrative of a one-sided rivalry in recent years.
• Suryakumar Yadav’s remarks and the on-field body language of both teams reflect a clear shift in psychological momentum: India enter these matches with confidence, while Pakistan often appear to be searching for answers.

The Final Word

The 2025 Super 4 win will go down as another testament to India’s rise—and Pakistan’s struggles—in cricket’s most storied rivalry. Even on a day when they were not at their absolute best, India had enough match-winners, belief, and balance to outclass their neighbours once again. Unless Pakistan finds a way to break the psychological and tactical stranglehold, the historic rivalry is in danger of losing its competitive edge altogether.