DUBAI; India outclassed Pakistan by six wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, successfully chasing down a 172-run target with seven balls to spare.
India’s chase was powered by a blistering opening stand between Abhishek and Shubman Gill, who combined for 105 runs inside the first 10 overs. Gill contributed 47 off 28 balls with eight boundaries before Faheem Ashraf struck to break the stand.
The Men in Blue briefly stumbled as Haris Rauf dismissed skipper Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, and Abrar Ahmed removed Sharma, who top-scored with a swashbuckling 74 off 39 balls, hitting five sixes and six fours. The total slipped to 123/3 in the 13th over.
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma then steadied the innings, adding 25 runs before Haris returned to dismiss Samson (13 off 17). Varma held his nerve, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 19 balls with Hardik Pandya (7*) providing support, steering India to victory.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf impressed with 2/26 in four overs, while Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 171/5 after being put in to bat. Opener Farhan led the way with a composed 58 off 45 balls, supported by Saim Ayub (21) and Hussain Talat (10). Later contributions came from Mohammad Nawaz (21) and skipper Salman Ali Agha (17*), with Faheem Ashraf finishing unbeaten on 20 off just eight balls.
India’s bowling was led by Shivam Dube, who claimed 2/34, while Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with one wicket apiece.
