Pakistan chose to bat first in Dubai, but their innings never found momentum. From the very first ball, Saim Ayub fell to Hardik Pandya without scoring, setting a nervous tone. Mohammad Haris soon followed, undone by Jasprit Bumrah. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha tried to rebuild but struggled against spin, with both dismissed cheaply.
A proud moment for every Indian! Congratulations to Team India on a remarkable victory against Pakistan. From power-packed performances to sheer teamwork, today’s match was all about passion, resilience, and glory! 🇮🇳 #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/ZLXJvl8Lbf
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) September 14, 2025
Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel controlled the middle overs. Kuldeep picked up three wickets, including Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz in quick succession. Axar’s variations removed Zaman and Agha, breaking the backbone of Pakistan’s batting. Only Shaheen Afridi’s late hitting, 33 not out from 16 balls, gave the total some respect. Still, 127 for nine in 20 overs was far below par in modern T20 cricket.
Pakistan’s batting lacked intent. None of their top-order batters crossed 40, and their middle order folded under pressure. With only nine boundaries struck in the innings, they looked subdued and hesitant against India’s balanced attack.
India’s Bowlers Show Class
India’s bowlers delivered with discipline and variety. Bumrah, as always, was sharp with the new ball, taking two wickets and conceding just 28 runs. Pandya, trusted with the opening over, struck early and returned figures of 1 for 34.
The real damage came from spin. Kuldeep’s 3 for 18 highlighted his growing role as a match-winner in T20s. Varun Chakaravarthy bowled with control, taking 1 for 24. Axar Patel, with 2 for 18, maintained pressure by not allowing Pakistan to rotate strike. Even part-timer Abhishek Sharma contributed with a tidy over.
The combined effort left Pakistan chasing survival rather than setting a target. With every bowler chipping in, India showed the depth that defines championship teams.
SKY Leads a Confident Chase
India’s reply was aggressive from the start. Abhishek Sharma showed intent by hitting Shaheen Afridi for a boundary off the first ball. Though he and Shubman Gill fell early to Saim Ayub, India never looked in trouble.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with a composed 47 not out off 37 balls. His knock mixed patience with power, capped by a slogsweep six to finish the match. Tilak Varma chipped in with 31, while Shivam Dube’s unbeaten cameo of 10, including a big six, ensured the chase ended in style at 131 for three in 15.5 overs.
Saim Ayub was Pakistan’s lone bowling highlight, taking all three wickets for 35 runs. However, support from the rest was absent. Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Afridi failed to build pressure, conceding over eight runs an over. India’s batters played with freedom, reflecting confidence in their approach.
The Wider Picture
This win was not just about points in Group A of the Asia Cup. It was another chapter in India’s recent dominance over Pakistan in the shortest format. The gulf in class was clear—India’s spinners outbowled Pakistan’s, and their batting was calmer under pressure.
The absence of senior names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not weaken India. Instead, it gave space for younger players like Abhishek and Tilak to show promise, while SKY led with maturity. On the other side, Pakistan’s failure to build partnerships again raised questions about their batting depth and strategy.
For fans, the lack of post-match handshakes told its own story. The rivalry remains intense, but the cricket showed one team composed and the other searching for answers.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Soureesh Datta 
Poorvisha R
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