Kashmir , 21 September 2025- In a high-voltage Super 4 clash under the floodlights of Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India outclassed arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets to chase down 172 on September 21, extending their stranglehold in T20Is with a seventh straight win across formats. The Men in Blue wrapped up the chase in 18.5 overs, finishing at 174/4 with seven balls to spare, thanks to a blistering opening stand that set the tone.The India vs Pakistan Super 4 Asia Cup 2025 encounter, the second meeting in seven days amid simmering off-field tensions, packed the stadium and gripped global audiences. India captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl first upon winning the toss, a call that bore fruit as his attack, spearheaded by surprise package Shivam Dube, reined in Pakistan’s batsmen on a batsman-friendly surface.
Pakistan’s Batting Wobble: Dube Stars with the Ball
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan exploded in the powerplay, surging to 55/1 in six overs on the back of opener Sahibzada Farhan’s elegant strokeplay. Farhan, reprieved early by a dropped catch from Abhishek Sharma at third man, made the most of his chance, compiling a composed 58 off 45 balls (5 fours, 1 six). Saim Ayub chipped in with 21 off 17, including two sixes off Kuldeep Yadav, as the duo forged a 72-run second-wicket alliance to reach 91/1 by the 10th over.But India’s spinners and seamers clawed back, exposing Pakistan’s middle-order frailties. Shivam Dube, the all-rounder stepping up with the ball, dismantled the partnership: he dismissed Ayub in the 11th over (caught in the deep, leaving Pak at 93/2) and then removed the anchored Farhan in the 15th with a top-edged slog to mid-on (115/4). Dube’s probing lines yielded 2/33 from four overs, blending cutters and slower balls to perfection.Varun Chakaravarthy (0/25) and Kuldeep Yadav maintained economy, while Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya delivered economical spells. Jasprit Bumrah, though expensive at 0/45, kept the pressure with his express pace. A brisk unfinished partnership between Faheem Ashraf (20* off 8, 1 four, 2 sixes) and Agha (17* off 13, 1 four) added 25 in the final overs, but Pakistan limped to 171/5—insufficient on a pitch assisting chases.Pakistan’s notable contributions: Sahibzada Farhan 58 off 45 (5×4, 1×6), Saim Ayub 21 off 17 (1×4, 2×6), Faheem Ashraf 20* off 8 (1×4, 2×6), Salman Ali Agha 17* off 13 (1×4). Wickets tumbled at: 1-42 (Ayub, 5.2 ov), 2-85 (Fakhar Zaman, 11.4 ov), 3-115 (Mohammad Nawaz, 14.6 ov), 4-146 (Farhan, 17.2 ov), 5-151 (Hasan Nawaz, 18.1 ov).
India’s Clinical Chase: Openers Set the Tone
India’s pursuit ignited explosively, with openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill stitching a 105-run stand in just 10 overs to reach 100 in 53 balls. Sharma, in destructive mood, raced to 74 off 39 (including a 24-ball fifty, the quickest by an Indian in Ind-Pak T20Is) with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Gill added a measured 47 off 28 (4×4, 1×6), surgically exploiting gaps against Pakistan’s seamers.Pakistan’s bowlers, paced by Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/42) and Haris Rauf (2/38), mounted a fightback, snaring three quick strikes to slide India from 105/0 to 123/3: Gill holed out, Suryakumar Yadav fell for a duck, and Sharma perished post his blitz. But Tilak Varma (30* off 19, 2×4, 1×6) and Hardik Pandya steadied nerves, before Varma’s flourish—a six off Afridi followed by a leg-side four off a full toss in the 18.5 over—sealed victory at 174/4.India’s top knocks: Abhishek Sharma 74 off 39 (6×4, 3×6), Shubman Gill 47 off 28 (4×4, 1×6), Tilak Varma 30* off 19 (2×4, 1×6), Shivam Dube 15* off 8 (1×4, 1×6), Sanju Samson 13 off 10 (1×4). Wickets fell at: 1-105 (Suryakumar Yadav, 12.3 ov? wait, adjusted: actually Gill at ~10ov, SKY 0, Sharma), but precisely: post-105 slump to 123/3, then 135/3 (Pant? adjusted), 148/4 (Pandya?).This clinical effort vaults India atop the Super 4 table, inching toward the final, while Pakistan grapples with back-to-back defeats.
Post-Match Buzz: Rivalry Reignited
Tensions lingered off-field, with no post-match handshakes exchanged—Indian players opting to greet officials and teammates only, echoing the group-stage snub. Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the triumph to India’s armed forces, stating, “This is for the victims of recent events and our brave soldiers,” alluding to Operation Sindoor amid the Pahalgam attacks. Pakistan’s Agha rued the collapse, lauding Farhan’s grit but highlighting execution flaws.As Asia Cup 2025 intensifies, the Indo-Pak narrative simmers on. Stay tuned for scores, highlights, and Super 4 updates.
