India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: India and Pakistan’s Super Four encounter at the Dubai International Stadium witnessed a fiery beginning as Pakistan was able to score 171-5 in their 20 overs. Winning the toss, India decided to bowl, and India’s pace and spin department had no hesitation in applying pressure on the touring team.
Fakhar Zaman, who had opened the innings, fell early for 15 off just 9 balls, caught by Sanju Samson off Hardik Pandya in the second over. Fakhar’s dismissal, however, did little to dampen Pakistan’s intent, as Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub steadied the innings with a promising partnership.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: Farhan’s Half-Century Highlights Pakistan’s Innings
Sahibzada Farhan was the pillar of Pakistan’s innings, hammering a 45-ball 58, abounded with five boundaries and three sixes. His attacking batting kept India under pressure and helped Pakistan work at a competitive run rate.
Farhan was finally dismissed by Shivam Dube in the 14th over, taken by Suryakumar Yadav for a well-placed delivery that induced an edge. Saim Ayub had earlier scored 21 runs before being caught by the same bowler, showing Dube’s effect in disrupting major partnerships.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: Mid-Innings Wickets Keep India in the Hunt
Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya also did their bit in checking Pakistan’s rhythm. The run-out of Hussain Talat for 10, caught by Varun Chakaravarthy off Kuldeep, also added to the visitors’ instability. Mohammad Nawaz was run out, a direct consequence of vigilant Indian fielding spearheaded by Suryakumar Yadav, at 149-5 in the 19th over.
Though these advances, Pakistan’s lower middle order, tiller Salman Agha and Faheem Ashraf, made sure that the innings passed the 170-run barrier, with Agha remaining on 17 and Ashraf hitting 20 off just 8 balls at a strike rate of 250.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: Bowling Highlights from India
Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Kuldeep Yadav were India’s main wicket-takers. Pandya took 1/29 off 3 overs, while Dube took 2 vital wickets for 33 runs off 4 overs.
Kuldeep chipped in with 1/31 off 4 overs, giving the much-needed breakthroughs at important moments. Jasprit Bumrah took a wicket-less spell of 4 overs but conceded just 45 runs, keeping Pakistan’s big-hitters under control.
