India wins by seven wickets against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, which was held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to bat against India in the much-debated rivalry clash at the Asia Cup. However, spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18) helped India restrict Pakistan to 127 for nine.
India completed the chase in 15.5 overs with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (47 not out off 37 balls), Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13) and Tilak Varma (31 off 31) making significant contributions.
India began the day with Hardik Pandya dismissing Saim Ayub on the first legitimate delivery of the game and Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Mohammad Haris in the next over to leave Pakistan tottering at 6 for 2.
Spinners Kuldeep and Axar then stifled the Pakistan middle order with regular strikes.
Sahibzada Farhan scored a valiant 40 off 44 balls but the rest of the Pakistani batters cut a sorry figure on a docile track.
Shaheen Afridi hit a 16-ball 33 not out towards the end to take Pakistan past 125.
Brief scores: India: 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 47 not out, Abhishek Sharma 31, Tilak Varma 31; Saim Ayub 3/35).
Pakistan: 127/ 9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33 not out; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18).
Since the last encounter between the two arch-rivals in the T20 World Cup 2024, a lot has changed for both sides. New coaches have come in, and there has been an influx of several players. Batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired, while Pakistan moved on from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
India has thoroughly dominated Pakistan in T20Is, boasting a 10-3 record in their favour.
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha explained his decision to bat after winning the toss and said, "Going to bat first. We've been playing good cricket, very excited. Looks like a slow wicket. Just want to bat first and put runs on the board. Same side. Have been here for 20-odd days and are used to the conditions."
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was pleased with fielding first and said during the time of the toss, "We were looking to bowl first, happy with it. We played just one strip away, which was a nice wicket and better to bat on in the night. It's humid so hoping for some dew. Same team."
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.
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