Dubai, Sep 14: India produced a clinical performance to register a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in a Group A clash of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The win, achieved with 25 balls to spare, showcased India’s dominance in all departments of the game and highlighted the key role played by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who celebrated his 35th birthday in style.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships on a sluggish Dubai pitch that offered little for stroke-making.
Early breakthroughs by India set the tone for the innings.
Hardik Pandya removed Saim Ayub off the very first legitimate delivery of the match, while Jasprit Bumrah struck in the next over to send back Mohammad Haris, leaving Pakistan wobbling at 6 for 2.
The middle order found it difficult to handle India’s spin-heavy attack, with left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and left-arm orthodox Axar Patel running through the lineup with remarkable consistency.
Kuldeep claimed three crucial wickets for just 18 runs, while Axar chipped in with figures of 2 for 18. Varun Chakaravarthy also contributed by keeping the run-flow in check, finishing with 1 for 24. The disciplined spin trio exploited the sluggish surface expertly, preventing Pakistan from ever settling into their innings.
Amid the pressure, Sahibzada Farhan offered some resistance, scoring a patient 40 off 44 balls, attempting to anchor his side.
Towards the end of the innings, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi played a brisk cameo of 33 not out from 16 deliveries, helping Pakistan reach a total of 127 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Yet, the total always seemed below par against an in-form Indian batting unit.
Chasing 128 for victory, India’s response was emphatic. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav led the charge, remaining unbeaten on 47 from 37 balls, mixing calculated aggression with smart strike rotation.
He found able partners in Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, both left-handed batters scoring 31 runs each, helping India race to the target comfortably in just 15.5 overs.
Saim Ayub was the only Pakistani bowler to make a dent, claiming 3 wickets for 35 runs.
The Indian innings underlined the class and balance of the batting unit. Abhishek Sharma’s 13-ball 31 provided the impetus in the middle overs, while Tilak Varma’s measured innings kept the chase steady, ensuring there were no moments of panic. By the time India crossed the line, the margin of victory – seven wickets – reflected the one-sided nature of the contest.
The match, contested under a tense backdrop owing to heightened diplomatic tensions earlier this year, saw minimal on-field camaraderie between the two sides. After India sealed the chase, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube (10 not out) walked off the field briskly, with no post-match handshakes. Despite the political undertones, cricketing excellence was unmistakable, with India asserting their authority both with the ball and bat.
This victory also marked India’s second consecutive win in the tournament, sending a clear message to their Group A rivals. The spin department, in particular, has now emerged as India’s biggest weapon, with Kuldeep and Axar running through opposition lineups on Dubai’s slow surfaces. If this form continues, India will enter the latter stages of the tournament with considerable confidence, while Pakistan must regroup quickly to stay in contention. (PTI)
BRIEF SCORE
Pakistan: 127/ 9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33 not out; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18).
India: 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 47 not out, Abhishek Sharma 31, Tilak Varma 31; Saim Ayub 3/35).