Dubai, UAE, September 14, 2025 – The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 ended with a dominant performance by defending champions India, who defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The win not only extended Pakistan’s long losing streak against India in ICC and Asia Cup tournaments but also boosted India’s chances of sealing a semi-final spot.
Abhishek Sharma Sets the Tone
Chasing a modest target of 128, India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma, the world’s top-ranked T20 batter, launched an aggressive assault from the very first ball. He smashed Shaheen Shah Afridi for a boundary off the first delivery and followed it up with a towering six, completely unsettling Pakistan’s pace spearhead. Sharma’s quickfire 31 off 13 balls, laced with three fours and two sixes, gave India the perfect start in the high-pressure game.
Although Pakistan’s part-time spinner Saim Ayub managed to dismiss Sharma, along with Shubman Gill (10 off 7) and Tilak Varma (31 off 31), the momentum remained with India. Captain Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with a composed 47 off 37 balls, finishing the match in style with a six in the 16th over.
Indian Spinners Dominate Pakistan Batting
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, but their innings never really took off. Hardik Pandya struck with the very first ball, dismissing opener Saim Ayub. Soon after, Jasprit Bumrah removed Mohammad Haris to put Pakistan on the back foot at 2/2.
While Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman tried to rebuild, India’s spin trio dismantled the middle order with clinical precision. Across 10 overs, Indian spinners accounted for six wickets, leaving Pakistan struggling to find momentum.
It was only due to a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi and leg-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who together smashed four fours and two sixes, that Pakistan managed to cross the 100-run mark. Eventually, they ended at 127/9 in 20 overs, a total that was never going to challenge India’s strong batting lineup.
India Continue Dominance, Pakistan Left Searching for Answers
With this victory, India registered their second consecutive win in the tournament, securing two crucial points in Group A. The match once again highlighted the gulf between the two rivals in recent years, with India showing balance in both batting and bowling, while Pakistan faltered under pressure.
Interestingly, the game ended without the customary handshake between the two teams, continuing the post-match cold protocol that has become the norm in recent India-Pakistan cricket encounters.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted after the loss that his team missed opportunities and failed to adapt to the conditions. Pakistan will now look to bounce back against the UAE on Wednesday, while India will take on Oman on Friday in their final group match.
Key Highlights:
India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Asia Cup 2025, Dubai.
Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13) and Suryakumar Yadav (47* off 37) starred in the chase.
Indian spinners claimed six wickets, restricting Pakistan to 127/9.
Pakistan’s losing streak against India in major tournaments continues.
India remain unbeaten in Group A with two wins from two matches.
