India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025: Axar Patel has turned the game in India's way totally with consecutive breakthroughs in the middle overs. Having dismissed Fakhar Zaman in his last over, Axar did it again this time getting rid of Pakistan captain Salman Agha for a low score. The left-arm spinner is finding grip and just sufficient turn to trouble the batters, and his consistent accuracy is smothering Pakistan's scoring prospects.
In distress and with boundaries getting scarce, Salman Agha attempted to break free with a slog sweep. The ball, however, became big for him and caught a top edge that went high in the night sky. The square leg fielder did not make a mistake and caught it easily, sending Pakistan deeper in trouble at 49/4.
Sunil Gavaskar, in commentary, showed his disgust with Pakistan's choice of shots, labeling it "unnecessary aggression at a time when Pakistan needed stability."
With Salman lost, Pakistan have lost four wickets within the first nine overs. The scoreboard pressure is building as Sahibzada Farhan is the sole established batter at one end. India's bowlers, spearheaded by Axar, have taken total control of the game, with the fielding unit humming and each dot ball being celebrated.
Pakistan's middle order is now set to face its toughest test with Hasan Nawaz set to come in next. They will require a solid partnership in order to prevent an eventual collapse and set up a defendable score. For India, another wicket here might shatter the back of Pakistan's innings before the midpoint and position them for a chaseable target.
