India made short work of their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, securing a commanding 7-wicket victory in Dubai. The win was set up by a stellar bowling performance that restricted Pakistan to a paltry total, followed by a clinical chase led by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Pakistan’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired spectacularly. The Indian bowlers, particularly the spinners, wreaked havoc on the Pakistani batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav was the star with the ball, finishing with brilliant figures of 3 for 18. He was well-supported by Axar Patel, who picked up two key wickets, and Varun Chakaravarthy, who chipped in with one. Together, the spin trio suffocated Pakistan’s scoring, while early wickets from pacers Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah ensured Pakistan was on the back foot from the start. A late cameo of 33 runs off just 16 balls by Shaheen Shah Afridi provided a bit of a flourish, but Pakistan could only manage to post a sub-par total of 127 for 9.
Chasing a modest target of 128, India’s top order came out with aggressive intent. Although Shubman Gill fell early, Abhishek Sharma got the chase off to a flying start with a quickfire 31. Saim Ayub was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking all three Indian wickets, but he lacked support from the other end.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav took control of the innings, playing a composed yet assertive knock to steer India towards victory. He was ably supported by Tilak Varma, who scored a steady 31 before being dismissed by Ayub. With the required run rate well under control, Yadav and Shivam Dube finished the job with ease, with Yadav sealing the win with a massive six.
The victory, which saw India reach the target with 25 balls to spare, not only solidified their position in the tournament but also served as a powerful statement against their rivals. This win is particularly significant as it marks the first meeting between the two sides since the recent tensions and military response following the Pahalgam attack.