We stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. We want to dedicate today’s win to all our Armed Forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile: India captain Surya Kumar Yadav
In a one-sided affair that reaffirmed India’s supremacy in the Asia Cup, the defending champions secured a commanding 7-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14, 2025. Chasing a modest target of 128, India romped home to 131 for 3 in just 15.5 overs, with the match never truly in doubt after a clinical bowling performance restricted Pakistan to 127 for 9. This win, the 11th in 14 T20Is against Pakistan, propels India to the top of Group A with four points from two matches, while leaving the Men in Green in a precarious position.
Pakistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss, endured a batting collapse that exposed their vulnerabilities on a slow Dubai pitch. The innings began disastrously, with opener Saim Ayub falling for a duck to Hardik Pandya’s first ball of the match, caught at point. Mohammad Haris followed in the next over, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah’s searing yorker, reducing Pakistan to 2 for 2. Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman attempted a recovery, adding 50 runs for the third wicket, but India’s spinners took control. Kuldeep Yadav, returning to the side, was the standout performer, claiming 3 for 18 in his four overs, including the vital wicket of Farhan. Axar Patel (2/18) and Bumrah (2/28) supported with key breakthroughs, while Hardik Pandya (1/34) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/24) ensured no partnerships flourished.
Pakistan’s middle order struggled against the spin trap & unable to accelerate. Shaheen Afridi’s late 33 off 16 balls ended with a total of 127 for 9 was well below par. India’s fielding was sharp and the bowlers conceded only 05 extras. Kuldeep Yadav was rightfully named Player of the Match for his match-turning spell, which dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.
India’s chase was a demonstration of controlled aggression. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill raced to 41 for 2 in 3.4 overs during the powerplay, with Abhishek smashing 31 off 13 balls, including Two six’s and four boundaries. Saim Ayub struck back, dismissing both openers, but skipper Suryakumar Yadav steadied the ship with a fluent 47 off 37 balls, featuring elegant drives and lofts. Tilak Varma contributed 31 off 31, forming a crucial partnership with Yadav. The chase was sealed with a six from Yadav in the 16th over, as India finished at 131 for 3. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Ayub (3/35), showed fight but couldn’t contain the Indian firepower on a dew-affected pitch.
Post-match, Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, stating, “This victory is for our armed forces and the nation.” Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged the bowling effort but lamented the batting collapse: “We started well but lost wickets in clusters. Credit to India for executing their plans.” The match, attended by 35,000 fans, was a spectacle of Indo-Pak rivalry, broadcast to over 200 million viewers worldwide.
This result extends India’s unbeaten streak in Asia Cup group stages and sets up an intriguing Super 4s path. For Pakistan, the loss piles pressure ahead of their match against Nepal. The Asia Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, continues to deliver high-stakes drama, underscoring cricket’s role in uniting the subcontinent.
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