India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in a high-intensity Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash in Dubai, showcasing dominant bowling and composed batting under pressure.

Match Summary

Key Phases: India’s Bowling Dominance

India’s spinners exploited a dry, cracked Dubai pitch, with Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18) decimating the Pakistani middle order. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya provided early breakthroughs, trapping Pakistan at 42/2 by the powerplay before spin choked the scoring rate, with 63 dot balls in the innings a testament to the pressure exerted.

Varun Chakravarthy joined in, picking up a wicket as Pakistan struggled to build any momentum. Kuldeep’s wrong’un and variations outfoxed batsmen, leading to a collapse from 44/2 to 64/6, with desperate slogs resulting in wickets for Zaman, Agha Salman, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Nawaz.

Pakistan’s Late Surge

Sahibzada Farhan played responsibly for his 40 but was shackled by disciplined Indian bowling. Shaheen Shah Afridi offered late resistance, smashing 33* off 16 balls, including four sixes, pushing Pakistan’s total to some respectability after fears of folding for under 110.

Despite Afridi’s cameo, Pakistan finished at a below-par 127/9, unable to break free except in the closing overs.

Indian Chase: Clinical, Unhurried

India lost two wickets early: Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, but found momentum as Abhishek attacked with a brisk 31 off 13 balls. Suryakumar Yadav, celebrating his birthday, anchored the chase with 47* off 37 balls, aided by Tilak Varma’s steady 31.

A 56-run partnership between Suryakumar and Tilak sealed the game, with Shivam Dube finishing things off. India cruised to victory in just 15.5 overs, keeping their Super 4s qualification chances strong and extending their T20I record over Pakistan to 11–3.

Tactical Analysis

• India chose a spin-heavy attack based on pitch conditions, a decision that paid off handsomely with six wickets from Kuldeep, Axar, and Varun.
• Pakistan’s top order failed to adapt, succumbing to pressure with only Farhan showing resistance among regular batsmen. Shaheen’s cameo was the only bright spot.
• Suryakumar’s leadership as captain was pivotal, both tactically and with the bat.

Off-Field Angle: “No Handshake” Controversy

The game ended with India’s players led by Suryakumar Yadav declining to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, citing solidarity with recent terror attack victims and dedicating the win to the Indian Armed Forces. This sparked post-match headlines and potential PCB protest, adding an emotional layer to the sporting storyline.

Social Media Reactions

• Indian fans celebrated the clinical dominance of spin and Suryakumar’s birthday knock.
• Pakistani experts questioned team selection and execution, citing lack of intent in the middle overs.
• Analysts widely praised Axar, Kuldeep, and Suryakumar, while lamenting the lack of a counter from Pakistan outside Afridi and Farhan.

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India’s emphatic Asia Cup win in Dubai puts them in pole position for the Super 4s and reinforces their supremacy in this storied cricket rivalry.