By Zainab Shafiq 
In a highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14, India outclassed Pakistan with a commanding seven-wicket victory. Chasing a modest target of 128, India cruised to 131/3 in just 15.5 overs, thanks to clinical bowling from Kuldeep Yadav and composed batting from Suryakumar Yadav.
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat Continue
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan had a disastrous start. Young opener Saim Ayub departed for a golden duck, caught by Jasprit Bumrah off Hardik Pandya’s very first delivery. Mohammad Haris followed soon after, leaving Pakistan reeling at 6/2.
Sahibzada Farhan stood tall amidst the collapse with a gritty 40 off 44 balls, including three sixes, but he lacked support from the other end. Fakhar Zaman contributed a quick 17, while skipper Salman Agha struggled for rhythm, managing only 3 runs from 12 deliveries.
India’s spinners were the real game changers. Kuldeep Yadav was at his deceptive best, finishing with brilliant figures of 3/18 in four overs. He removed Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Nawaz in quick succession, completely derailing Pakistan’s innings. Axar Patel supported him with 2/18, while Varun Chakravarthy and Bumrah chipped in with crucial wickets.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late cameo provided some fireworks, as he smashed an unbeaten 33 off just 16 balls with four towering sixes. Alongside Sufiyan Muqeem’s handy 10, Pakistan managed to push their total to 127/9 in 20 overs, a score far below par against India’s strong batting lineup.
India’s Confident Chase
India’s reply was aggressive right from the outset. Young opener Abhishek Sharma lit up Dubai with a blistering 31 off just 13 balls, striking four boundaries and two sixes. Though Shubman Gill fell early for 10, Abhishek and Suryakumar Yadav kept the momentum going.
Saim Ayub briefly gave Pakistan hope with his part-time spin, picking up three wickets including Sharma, Gill, and Tilak Varma but India were always ahead in the chase.
Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with a classy 47* off 37 balls, mixing calculated aggression with composure. Tilak Varma added 31, while Shivam Dube’s quickfire 10* sealed the game. India wrapped up the chase in 15.5 overs, winning comfortably by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare.
Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell of 3/18. His variations left Pakistan’s middle-order clueless, and his control ensured India stayed in charge throughout.
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