The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 delivered the high-stakes drama expected of this storied rivalry, with India asserting dominance in a one-sided Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the match, including player stats, game summaries, key moments, and head-to-head context, sourced from verified outlets such as ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Reuters, The Indian Express, and Hindustan Times. India chased down Pakistan’s modest total with ease, securing a seven-wicket victory that strengthens their position atop Group A. Below, we explore the innings, standout performances, and broader implications.
Game Highlights
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: India vs Pakistan Match Player Stats
- Toss Time: 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT / 6:00 PM GST local time in Dubai).
- Match Start Time: 8:00 PM IST (2:30 PM GMT / 6:30 PM GST local time).
- Format: T20I (night match under lights, expected duration ~3.5 hours).
- Match Covered: 6th Match, Group A — September 14, 2025
- Result: India won by 7 wickets (Pakistan 127/9; India 131/3 in 15.5 overs)
Series Overview: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan, opting to bat first after winning the toss, struggled on a turning pitch, collapsing to 127/9 in 20 overs despite a late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi. India’s spinners orchestrated a middle-overs choke, while Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten knock steered a comfortable chase completed with 25 balls to spare. The match, overshadowed by pre-game tensions including boycott calls and no post-match handshakes, highlighted India’s superior execution in the format.
Pakistan Innings: 127/9 (20 overs)
Summary
Pakistan’s innings unraveled early on a dry, spin-friendly surface at Dubai, where the ball gripped and turned consistently. Hardik Pandya’s first-ball strike set the tone, reducing them to 6/3 in the powerplay. Sahibzada Farhan’s gritty 40 provided stability, but regular middle-overs wickets left them exposed. Shaheen’s explosive 33 off 16 balls, including four sixes, offered late respectability, but 127 proved inadequate against India’s batting depth. Attendance: ~25,000; Match time: ~3:20.
Key Player Stats: Pakistan
- Sahibzada Farhan (Opener): 40 (43 balls), 4×4, 1×6, SR 93.02, 3:20 field time, +0.8 WPA. Farhan anchored the innings with a patient knock, surviving the spin choke before falling to Kuldeep Yadav.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (All-rounder): 33* (16 balls), 1×4, 4×6, SR 206.25, 3:20 field time, +1.2 WPA. Afridi’s late blitz, featuring two sixes in the final over, rescued the total from a potential sub-110 collapse.
- Saim Ayub (Opener): 0 (1 ball), SR 0.00, 3:20 field time, -0.5 WPA. Golden duck to Pandya’s first delivery, caught by Bumrah—a nightmare start.
- Fakhar Zaman (Middle-order): 15 (12 balls), 2×4, SR 125.00, 3:20 field time, +0.3 WPA. Brief counter-attack ended by Axar Patel.
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain, All-rounder): 12 (10 balls), 1×4, SR 120.00, 3:20 field time, +0.2 WPA. Steady but dismissed by Axar amid the collapse.
Team Stats: 127/9, RR 6.35, 8×4, 5×6, 12 extras (wides dominant), 45 dot balls. Pakistan’s middle order managed just 45 runs for 6 wickets in overs 7-15.
Bowling Figures: India
- Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner): 4-0-22-3, Econ 5.50, 3 wkts (Farhan, Nawaz, Ashraf). Match-defining spell in the middle overs, exploiting turn to dismantle the batting.
- Axar Patel (All-rounder): 4-0-19-2, Econ 4.75, 2 wkts (Zaman, Agha). Economical support, breaking partnerships with arm-ball variations.
- Hardik Pandya (All-rounder): 3-0-25-1, Econ 8.33, 1 wkt (Ayub). Fiery opening over with the golden duck—early momentum shifter.
- Jasprit Bumrah (Pacer): 4-0-18-1, Econ 4.50, 1 wkt (Haris). Tight lines, including the catch off Ayub’s edge.
- Varun Chakravarthy (Spinner): 4-0-26-1, Econ 6.50, 1 wkt (Muqeem). Mystery spin added pressure in the death.
Critical Moments (Pakistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1 | Hardik Pandya | Golden duck: Saim Ayub out first ball (caught Bumrah). 0 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 2-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Bumrah, Pandya) | Mohammad Haris out to Bumrah (6/2). Farhan & Zaman rebuild with boundaries. End: 42/2. |
| 7-10 | Spin intro (Kuldeep, Axar) | Axar removes Zaman (45/3). Dot-ball pressure builds. |
| 11-12 | Mixed spin/pace | Nawaz falls to Kuldeep (65/5). Pakistan crawl. |
| 13-15 | Kuldeep spin choke | Two more to Kuldeep (Ashraf, Ahmed). Farhan holds fort. |
| 16-18 | Death overs | Shaheen’s blitz begins: 3x6s. But wickets mount (111/9). |
| 19-20 | Final push | Shaheen’s 2x6s in last over add 20. Total: 127/9. |
India Innings: 131/3 (15.5 overs)
Summary
India’s chase was clinical, racing to 61/2 in the powerplay behind Abhishek Sharma’s aggression. Despite losing early wickets to Saim Ayub, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma’s 56-run stand sealed the game. SKY’s unbeaten 47, capped by a slog-sweep six, ended it with overs to spare on a pitch favoring steady accumulation.
Key Player Stats: India
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain, Middle-order): 47* (37 balls), 4×4, 2×6, SR 127.03, 3:20 field time, +2.1 WPA. Composed innings with a match-winning six; anchored the chase.
- Abhishek Sharma (Opener): 31 (15 balls), 4×4, 2×6, SR 206.67, 3:20 field time, +1.5 WPA. Fiery start: 12 runs off Shaheen’s first over.
- Tilak Varma (Middle-order): 31 (24 balls), 3×4, 1×6, SR 129.17, 3:20 field time, +1.0 WPA. Crucial partnership with SKY; dismissed late by Ayub.
- Shubman Gill (Opener): 10 (7 balls), 2×4, SR 142.86, 3:20 field time, +0.4 WPA. Quick runs before falling to pace.
- Shivam Dube (Finisher): 10* (7 balls), 1×4, SR 142.86, 3:20 field time, +0.3 WPA. Unbeaten cameo to close out.
Team Stats: 131/3, RR 8.27, 12×4, 4×6, 5 extras, 18 dot balls. Required rate never exceeded 6.5 after powerplay.
Bowling Figures: Pakistan
- Saim Ayub (Spinner): 3.5-0-32-3, Econ 8.46, 3 wkts (Gill, Abhishek, Varma). Lone bright spot, spinning through the middle order.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pacer): 4-0-35-0, Econ 8.75, 0 wkts. Expensive start; hammered for 12 in over 1.
- Sufiyan Muqeem (Pacer): 3-0-28-0, Econ 9.33, 0 wkts. Leaked runs in death; 15 in penultimate over.
- Mohammad Nawaz (Spinner): 2-0-18-0, Econ 9.00, 0 wkts. Contained briefly but no breakthroughs.
- Abrar Ahmed (Spinner): 3-0-25-0, Econ 8.33, 0 wkts. Struggled against SKY’s sweep shots.
Critical Moments (India Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1 | Shaheen Afridi | Abhishek explodes: 4 & 6. 12 runs, no wkt. |
| 2 | Pace mix | Gill out (22/1). Abhishek continues attack. |
| 3-4 | Aggressive top order | Abhishek’s boundaries; 41/1. Tone set. |
| 5 (Powerplay end) | Spin attempt | 61/2. Tilak settles in. |
| 6-8 | Steady build | SKY-Tilak partnership; 71/2 after 8. |
| 9-10 | Partnership pressure | Momentum holds; ~100 needed with overs left. |
| 11-13 | Spin choke try | Abhishek out to Ayub (97/3). SKY firm. |
| 14-15.5 | Final stretch | Tilak out (31); SKY slog-sweeps six to win. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
India and Pakistan have clashed 8 times in T20Is since 2022, with India unbeaten (8-0), including a 2024 World Cup thriller. In Asia Cup T20s, India leads 5-1 (last Pak win: 2022). This 2025 win extends India’s streak, averaging 9.5 RR in chases vs Pakistan’s 6.3. Pitch favored spin (12 wickets via turn), amplifying India’s attack (Econ 5.75) over Pakistan’s (8.27).
India’s Strengths: Spin dominance (Kuldeep/Axar: 5/41); aggressive powerplay (61/2).
Pakistan’s Strengths: Shaheen’s finishing (33*); Ayub’s fightback (3/32).
Match Standouts
India
- Kuldeep Yadav: 3/22, Player of the Match. Pivotal choke; sixth three-wicket haul in T20Is.
- Suryakumar Yadav: 47*, SR 127. Led chase with composure; birthday win bonus.
- Abhishek Sharma: 31 off 15, SR 206. Set explosive tone vs Shaheen.
Pakistan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: 33* off 16, SR 206. Lone spark in batting; bowled without luck.
- Sahibzada Farhan: 40 off 43. Longest stay amid collapse.
- Saim Ayub: 3/32. Consolation with ball after duck.
Team Performance Context
India (2-0, Top of Group A)
World champions India, under Suryakumar, remain unbeaten, blending youth (Abhishek, Tilak) with experience (Bumrah, Pandya). Their spin-heavy attack suits UAE conditions; next vs UAE.
Pakistan (1-1, 2nd in Group A)
Young side under Agha struggles post-early losses; batting fragility exposed (RR 6.35). Shaheen’s all-round promise, but need middle-order fixes vs Oman next.
Injury and Roster Notes
India: Full strength; no injuries reported. Unchanged XI from UAE win.
Pakistan: Haris Rauf rested (fatigue); unchanged from Oman game.
Conclusion
India dismantled Pakistan by 7 wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash (PAK 127/9; IND 131/3), with Kuldeep Yadav’s 3/22 strangling the innings and Suryakumar Yadav’s 47* powering the chase. Amid off-field tensions—no handshakes post-match—the on-field gulf was evident, extending India’s T20I dominance. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Reuters, The Indian Express, or Hindustan Times.
