Sports
India Thrash Pakistan by 7 Wickets to Top Group A in Asia Cup
DUBAI: India outclassed Pakistan by seven wickets in their Group A clash of the T20 Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday night, chasing down a modest target of 128 with more than four overs to spare at the Dubai International Stadium. The victory, powered by an explosive start from opener Abhishek Sharma and a composed knock from skipper Suryakumar Yadav, propelled India to the top of the table with four points from two matches.
Set 128 after a dismal batting display by Pakistan, India’s chase was off to a flying start when Abhishek Sharma tore into Shaheen Shah Afridi, plundering 23 runs from his first two overs. The left-hander smashed two sixes and two fours before falling for 31 off 13 balls while trying to accelerate further. Shubman Gill contributed 10 before being stumped off Saim Ayub, who was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers with figures of 3-35.
Suryakumar Yadav (47 not out off 37) anchored the innings alongside Tilak Varma (31), the pair putting on 56 for the third wicket to steady India’s chase. Shivam Dube (10 not out) saw the side home in the 16th over. Spinner Abrar Ahmed was economical with 16 runs conceded from his four overs, but Pakistan’s attack failed to defend the sub-par total.
Earlier, Pakistan managed only 127-9 after opting to bat. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 40 off 44, while Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late cameo of 33 off 16 spared Pakistan the embarrassment of being bowled out under 100. India’s spinners dominated the middle overs, with Kuldeep Yadav bagging 3-18 to earn the Player of the Match award. Axar Patel (2-18) and Varun Chakravarthy (1-24) applied further pressure as Pakistan consumed 63 dot balls in their innings.
Read More
Israel’s Doha attack threatens Arab normalisation efforts, says draft resolution
Jasprit Bumrah (2-28) and Hardik Pandya (1-34) made early inroads, dismissing Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris cheaply. Pakistan never recovered, sliding to 49-4 by the seventh over and failing to mount a challenge.
With the win, India strengthened their semi-final prospects while Pakistan’s campaign suffered a major setback.
