India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 encounter at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
This was the first time the two arch-rivals were meeting since the dastardly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Since 2008, India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series, but whenever they clash in multilateral events, cricket fans across both sides of the border remain on edge.
Emotions run high and they are expected to run even higher this time as the two countries recently indulged in a brief but scary war.
In India, a large section was calling for a boycott of the match and that sentiment was also be visible in the empty stands as the two teams locked horns at the Dubai International Stadium.
After winning the toss, Pakistani skipper Salman Agha chose to bat first but the decision backfired with Hardik Pandya removing opener Saim Ayub on the second ball of the innings.
Bumrah too struck in the his first over removing the Mohammad Haris, the new man in, to reduce the men-in-green to 6/2 in 1.2 overs.
Things turned gloomy for Pakistani side as India introduced spin. The trio of Kuldeep Yadav (3/18), Axar Patel (2/18) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/24) ran riots, leaving Pakistan in tatters at 64/6.
However, late blitz from Shaheen Shah Afridi (33 off just 16) ensured Pakistan reach a respectable total of 127/9 in 20 overs.
In India’s chase, Abhishek Sharma started with a boundary off the first bowl from Shaheen Afridi and followed it with a maximum on the second ball.
Gill, after hitting back to back boundaries, fall cheaply off Saim Ayub but Abhishek’s carnage continued.
However, Ayub removed Abhishek (31 off 13) in the 4th over to take his second wicket of the innings.
Surya and Tilak joined the party and stitched a crucial 56-run partnership in 52 balls. Tilak become Ayub’s third victim but Surya kept shining on the other end and finished things off in style, hitting a maximum off Sufiyan Muqeem in second last ball of the 16th other.
With this victory, India’s Super 4 berth is all but confirmed.
Below are the top highlightes of India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025:
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967290231805407237
India innings first 4 overs summary
In response to Pakistan's 127/9, India began on a positive note, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings.
Abhishek started his innings in his typical attacking style hitting a four off the first ball of Shahen Afridi and followed it with a six on the second ball. The two collected 12 runs in the first over.
In the second over, Shubman Gill hit to back to back boundaries off Saim Ayub and looked threatening.
However, Ayub bowled a superb carrom bowl. Gill came a little forward to defend it but the ball turned away, leaving him stranded outside the crease. Mohammad Haris with gloves removed the bails.
Abhishek, on the other end, kept going in his usually attacking mode, and hit Ayub for back to back boundaries. However, Ayub removed him to take second wicket of the innings.
After 4 overs, India: 42/2 with Suryakumar Yadav (0 off 2) and Tilak Verma (0 off 0) at the crease.
Operation Asia Cup Executed! INDIA demolish Pakistan by 7 seven wickets.
SuryaKumarYadav aka SKY finishes off in style. Skipper slogsweeps it into the stands over mid-wicket.
Wicket! Its spinner's day in Dubai. Ayub removes Tilak Verma to claim his third wicket. Tilak was looking set but a ripper from Ayub left him guessing and uproots the off stump
Innings summary after 10 overs
After Abhishek Sharma blitz, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma build a 47 (38) run partnership to keep the chase under control.
After 10 overs, India was 88/2 with Suryakumar Yadav 17 (15) and Tilak Verma 28 (25) still at the crease.
India innings first 4 overs summary
In response to Pakistan's 127/9, India began on a positive note, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings.
Abhishek started his innings in his typical attacking style hitting a four off the first ball of Shahen Afridi and followed it with a six on the second ball. The two collected 12 runs in the first over.
In the second over, Shubman Gill hit to back to back boundaries off Saim Ayub and looked threatening.
However, Ayub bowled a superb carrom bowl. Gill came a little forward to defend it but the ball turned away, leaving him stranded outside the crease. Mohammad Haris with gloves removed the bails.
Abhishek, on the other end, kept going in his usually attacking mode, and hit Ayub for back to back boundaries. However, Ayub removed him to take second wicket of the innings.
After 4 overs, India: 42/2 with Suryakumar Yadav (0 off 2) and Tilak Verma (0 off 0) at the crease.
India innings first 4 overs summary
In response to Pakistan's 127/9, India began on a positive note, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings.
Abhishek started his innings in his typical attacking style hitting a four off the first ball of Shahen Afridi and followed it with a six on the second ball. The two collected 12 runs in the first over.
In the second over, Shubman Gill hit to back to back boundaries off Saim Ayub and looked threatening.
However, Ayub bowled a superb carrom bowl. Gill came a little forward to defend it but the ball turned away, leaving him stranded outside the crease. Mohammad Haris with gloves removed the bails.
Abhishek, on the other end, kept going in his usually attacking mode, and hit Ayub for back to back boundaries. However, Ayub removed him to take second wicket of the innings.
After 4 overs, India: 42/2 with Suryakumar Yadav (0 off 2) and Tilak Verma (0 off 0) at the crease.
Two on the last ball and 16 off the last over. Pakistan post 127/9 in 20 overs. Shaheen Afridi scored 33 off just 16 deliveries to take Pakistan to a respectable total.
Can they defend this below par total? Its cricket, a sport of uncertainties but India will be favourites as the chase begins after innings break.
Shaheen Afridi hits back to back sixes off Hardik Pandya in the last over. This is a good come back for Pakistan, thanks to tail-enders. From. 64/6 to 123-9 in 19.4 overs, they have now something on board to fight
Sufiyan Muqeem hit back to back boundaries off Bumrah in the 19th over. Pakistan cross 100-run mark. Bumrah removes Muqeem (10 off 5) on the last ball.
Scorecard after 19 over: Pakistan 111/9
Shaheen Afridi 17(10)
Varun Chakaravarthy joins the party. Faheem Ashraf will have to go back to the dressing room. Pakistan lose 8th as they struggle to go past 100.
Out! Kuldeep ends the misery of Hasan Nawaz as he takes his third. At 83/7, Pakistan in deep trouble now.
Shahin Afridi comes to the crease. He slog sweeps Kuldeep for a maximum on just his second ball now. 90/7 reads the scorecard after 17 overs.
Out! Kuldeep ends the misery of Hasan Nawaz as he takes his third. At 83/7, Pakistan in deep trouble now.
Shahin Afridi comes to the crease. He slog sweeps Kuldeep for a maximum on just his second ball now. 90/7 reads the scorecard after 17 overs.
Nothing much in the last couple of overs. Pakistani players are somehow trying to survive here.
After 16 overs, Pakistan are 83-6
Faheem Ashraf 11(12); Sahibzada Farhan
40(43)
Scorecard: Pakistan 65-6 in 13 overs.
Faheem Ashraf 1(1); Sahibzada Farhan
32(36)
Out! Another one bites the dust. This time Mohammad Nawaz. Back to back wicket for Kuldeep as Pakistan in tatters. Crowd goes bonkers, fans in green are gutted.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967251776618565997
Out! Another one bites the dust. This time Mohammad Nawaz. Back to back wicket for Kuldeep as Pakistan in tatters. Crowd goes bonkers, fans in green are gutted.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967251776618565997
Out! Kuldeep removes Hasan Nawaz. Pakistan 5 down now.
Our! Axar strikes again, removes skipper Salman Agha, who wanted to sweep this slower deliver outside off but the ball.goes high in the air after a thick top edge. Abhishek Sharma takes a fine catch at the square leg boundary.
Pakistan 49/4 in 10 overs.
Varun Chakaravarthy is back into the attack. He bowls a tight 9th over, conceding just 2 runs in his second over.
Pakistan: 47/3 in overs
Sahibzada Farhan 22(27) and skipper Salman Agha 1(6) are at the crease
Out! Fakhar Zaman gone. Axar was brought in to break the partnership and he never disapoints be it ball or bat. Zaman wanted to go after the left arm spinner, miscues it and the ball goes high in the air but lands safely in the hands of Tilak Varma.
Pakistan now three down. Looks like India have launched an operation of sorts. They are not allowing Pakistani batters to settle down.
Scorecard after 8 overs: Pak: 45/3
Salman Agha: 0(2); Sahibzada Farhan:
21(25)
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967246033744015540
Out! Fakhar Zaman gone. Axar was brought in to break the partnership and he never disapoints be it ball or bat. Zaman wanted to go after the left arm spinner, miscues it and the ball goes high in the air but lands safely in the hands of Tilak Varma.
Pakistan now three down. Looks like India have launched an operation of sorts. They are not allowing Pakistani batters to settle down.
Scorecard after 8 overs: Pak: 45/3
Salman Agha: 0(2); Sahibzada Farhan:
21(25)
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967246033744015540
Yes, its spin from both ends but its Axar Patel, the left arm spinner. Surya wants to break this partnership before Farhan and Zaman look to accelerate.
A very tight over from Kuldeep Yadav as he conceds just two off his first over.
Pakiatan moves to 44/2 after 7 overs. Sahibzada Farhan 20(23) and Fakhar Zaman 17(13) are slowly building up here.
Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack. So its spin from both ends now.
Bumrah continues from the other end. He conceds 8 runs in his thirs over with a six on the third ball by Farhan.
After 6 overs, scorecard reads : Pakistan 42/2
Sahibzada Farhan: 19(19); Fakhar Zaman: 16(11)
Spin time folks. Varun Chakaravarthy has been brought in by skipper Surya. He conceds 8 runs in first over with a boundary on the third ball by Fakhar Zaman.
Scorecard after 5 : Pakistan 34/2
Sahibzada Farhan 11(13); Fakhar Zaman
16(11)
Apart from that six on the third ball, Bumrah has bowled a wonderful over. Just six of it. Pakistan 26/2 after 4 overs
Six! That was a daring shot from Farhan against the mighty Bumrah. Launched it into the crow over long on. Pakistani batters gaining momentum.
13 off Hardik's second over. Fakhar Zaman hit two boundaries as Pakistan moves to 20 in 3 overs.
Fakhar Zaman is the new man in. Just 2 off the second over and a wicket.
Scorecard after 2 overs: Pakistan 7/2
India Playing X: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967230156579459203
Pakistan Playing X: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
OUT! Hardi Pandya strikes on the second ball of the first over. He removes Ayub. Bumrah takes the catch. <. What a start for India. At the end of the first over, Pakistan is 5/1
Out! First HARDIK Pandya and now Bumrah strikes on the second bowl of his first over. Mohammed Haris, who was the ne man in,departs. And its Hardik who took the catch behind square. Pakistan 6/2
Out! First HARDIK Pandya and now Bumrah strikes on the second bowl of his first over. Mohammed Haris, who was the ne man in,departs. And its Hardik who took the catch behind square. Pakistan 6/2
OUT! Hardi Pandya strikes on the second ball of the first over. He removes Ayub. Bumrah takes the catch. <. What a start for India. At the end of the first over, Pakistan is 5/1
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan to open for Pakistan. Ayub is on strike and he will face Hardik Pandya.
No handshake between Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan's Salman Agha at the toss.
Pakistan Playing X: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris(w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed
India Playing X: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1967230156579459203
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha wins toss, elects to bat first.
"We have decided to bat first. The team has been playing well and there is a lot of excitement going into this match. Our focus is simply on continuing to play good cricket. The pitch looks on the slower side, so the idea is to put up a solid score and then try to keep them below it. We are sticking with the same playing eleven. At this time of year in Dubai, spin is always an important factor. We know these conditions very well and are satisfied with the way we have prepared," says Agha.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav says India would have bowled first as well, so the toss has worked their way. It seems Surya has started playi mind games already.
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav says India would have bowled first as well, so the toss has worked their way. It seems Surya has started playi mind games already.
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha wins toss, elects to bat first.
<"We have decided to bat first. The team has been playing well and there is a lot of excitement going into this match. Our focus is simply on continuing to play good cricket. The pitch looks on the slower side, so the idea is to put up a solid score and then try to keep them below it. We are sticking with the same playing eleven. At this time of year in Dubai, spin is always an important factor. We know these conditions very well and are satisfied with the way we have prepared," says Agha.
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha wins toss, elects to bat first.
"We have decided to bat first. The team has been playing well and there is a lot of excitement going into this match. Our focus is simply on continuing to play good cricket. The pitch looks on the slower side, so the idea is to put up a solid score and then try to keep them below it. We are sticking with the same playing eleven. At this time of year in Dubai, spin is always an important factor. We know these conditions very well and are satisfied with the way we have prepared,"
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha wins toss, elects to bat first.
"We have decided to bat first. The team has been playing well and there is a lot of excitement going into this match. Our focus is simply on continuing to play good cricket. The pitch looks on the slower side, so the idea is to put up a solid score and then try to keep them below it. We are sticking with the same playing eleven. At this time of year in Dubai, spin is always an important factor. We know these conditions very well and are satisfied with the way we have prepared," says Agha.