India extended their unbeaten record in T20I chases against Pakistan with a composed 6-wicket victory in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21, 2025. This analysis draws from verified sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, and Reuters, covering player stats, innings breakdowns, key moments, and tournament implications. Pakistan posted 171/5, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s resilient 58 off 45, but India chased 172 in 18.5 overs, anchored by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39 (6 fours, 5 sixes), earning him Player of the Match. Multiple fielding lapses, including two drops off Farhan, allowed Pakistan’s total to swell, but Shivam Dube’s 2/33 and the 105-run opening stand between Abhishek and Shubman Gill (47 off 28) ensured a comfortable win.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: India vs Pakistan
- Match Covered: 14th Match, Super Four — September 21, 2025
- Result: India won by 6 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)
(Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs; India 174/4 in 18.5 overs) - Venue & Date: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai — September 21, 2025
- Toss: India won and elected to field
- Match Duration: Approximately 3 hours, 45 minutes (estimated from ball-by-ball coverage)
- Attendance: Near-capacity crowd (stadium filled with high demand for the rivalry clash)
On a batsman-friendly pitch, Pakistan’s powerplay explosion of 55/1—their best against India—faded into a middle-overs slump from 93/1 to 115/4, thanks to India’s spinners. Four dropped catches, including two off Farhan by Abhishek Sharma, proved costly. India’s chase featured a record 69/0 powerplay, their highest against Pakistan, though no post-match handshake added tension. India (2-0 in Super Four) top the table and face Bangladesh on September 24; Pakistan (0-1) meet Sri Lanka on September 23.
Pakistan Innings: 171/5 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Fakhar Zaman’s brisk 21 off 11 gave way to an early wicket via Hardik Pandya at 27/1 (3.1 overs). Sahibzada Farhan (58 off 45, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Saim Ayub (42 off 28, 4 fours, 2 sixes) countered with a 72-run second-wicket stand, reaching 93/1 by the 11th over despite two drops off Farhan. Shivam Dube’s cutters sparked a collapse, removing Ayub (bowled) and Farhan (caught) to hit 115/4 by the 15th over. Faheem Ashraf (20* off 8, 2 fours, 1 six) and Agha Salman (17* off 13) added 56 in the final five overs, but Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin limited boundaries for 39 legal deliveries.
Key Pakistan Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 58 (45) | 128.89 | Half-century; 72-run stand with Ayub; dropped twice early |
| Saim Ayub | 42 (28) | 150.00 | 4 fours, 2 sixes; aggressive rebuild; bowled by Dube |
| Fakhar Zaman | 21 (11) | 190.91 | Powerplay flier; caught off Pandya |
| Faheem Ashraf | 20* (8) | 250.00 | Late cameo; 2 fours, 1 six; unbeaten |
| Agha Salman (Captain) | 17* (13) | 130.77 | Steady support; unbeaten |
India Bowling Figures
- Shivam Dube (Pacer): 4-0-33-2, Econ 8.25, 2 wkts (Ayub, Farhan). Cutters triggered collapse.
- Varun Chakravarthy (Spinner): 4-0-28-1, Econ 7.00, 1 wkt (Hussain Talat). Middle-overs control.
- Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner): 4-0-32-1, Econ 8.00, 1 wkt (Mohammad Nawaz). Choked scoring.
- Jasprit Bumrah (Pacer): 4-0-45-0, Econ 11.25, 0 wkts. Expensive spell, 21 runs in first two overs.
- Hardik Pandya (Pacer): 4-0-25-1, Econ 6.25, 1 wkt (Zaman). Early strike.
Key Moments (Pakistan Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Bumrah, Pandya) | Zaman out (27/1, 3.1 ov); Farhan dropped twice; 55 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Varun, Kuldeep) | 93/1 by 11 ov; boundary drought starts. 38 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed (Dube, Kuldeep) | Ayub out (93/2, 10.3 ov); collapse to 115/4. 22 runs, 3 wkts. |
| 16-20 | Pace/Spin (Dube, Bumrah) | Ashraf-Salman 56-run stand; 50+ in last 5 ovs. 56 runs, 1 wkt. |
India Innings: 174/4 (18.5 overs)
Innings Summary
Abhishek Sharma hooked Shaheen Afridi’s first ball for six, igniting a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill in 9.5 overs (59 balls) for 69/0 in the powerplay—India’s best against Pakistan. Gill departed at 112/1 (10.2 ov, bowled by Faheem Ashraf), followed by Suryakumar Yadav’s duck (caught off Abrar Ahmed). Abhishek’s 50 off 24 pushed to 161/2 before his dismissal (caught off Haris Rauf). Sanju Samson (13 off 17) anchored briefly, but Tilak Varma (30* off 17, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Hardik Pandya (7* off 3) closed with boundaries off Shaheen and Rauf.
Key India Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Abhishek Sharma | 74 (39) | 189.74 | 6 fours, 5 sixes; 105-run stand; 50 off 24; Player of the Match |
| Shubman Gill | 47 (28) | 167.86 | Solid opener; bowled by Ashraf |
| Tilak Varma | 30* (17) | 176.47 | 2 fours, 2 sixes; finished with six |
| Sanju Samson | 13 (17) | 76.47 | Mid-innings support; caught off Abrar |
| Hardik Pandya | 7* (3) | 233.33 | Unbeaten; winning boundary |
Pakistan Bowling Figures
- Haris Rauf (Pacer): 4-0-26-2, Econ 6.50, 2 wkts (Abhishek, Samson). Late sixes conceded.
- Shaheen Afridi (Pacer): 3.5-0-35-1, Econ 9.21, 1 wkt (Gill). Opened with six; no-ball extras.
- Abrar Ahmed (Spinner): 4-0-30-1, Econ 7.50, 1 wkt (Suryakumar). Middle-overs control.
- Mohammad Nawaz (Spinner): 4-0-42-0, Econ 10.50, 0 wkts. Leaked in powerplay.
- Faheem Ashraf (Pacer): 3-0-28-0, Econ 9.33, 0 wkts. Broke opening stand.
Key Moments (India Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace (Shaheen, Rauf) | Abhishek six first ball; 105/0 stand. 69 runs, 0 wkts. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Nawaz, Abrar) | 100/0 by 9 ov; Gill out (112/1, 10.2 ov). 46 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 11-15 | Mixed | Abhishek out (161/2, 15.1 ov); slowdown to 125/3. 35 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 16-18.5 | Pace (Rauf, Shaheen) | Varma-Pandya finish; chase sealed (174/4, 18.5 ov). 27 runs, 2 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
India lead Pakistan 12-0 in T20I chases, with this 172 pursuit their highest against them. Pakistan’s 171/5 marked their strongest batting-first total vs India, aided by a 55/1 powerplay. Four drops (Abhishek twice off Farhan, Kuldeep off Ayub, another in middle overs) echoed India’s four-drop game vs Pakistan in 2022 T20WC, hurting efficiency (~65%). The 105-run opening stand is India’s highest vs Pakistan; Abhishek’s 74 the second fifty by an India opener against them.
India’s Strengths:
- Powerplay mastery: 69/0; Abhishek-Gill 105 in 59 balls.
- Spin stranglehold: Varun and Kuldeep conceded just 60 runs for 2 wkts.
Pakistan’s Strengths:
- Early intent: 72-run Farhan-Ayub stand after 27/1.
- Death surge: 56 runs in final 5 overs via Ashraf and Salman.
Match Standouts
India
- Abhishek Sharma: 74 off 39, SR 189.74, Player of the Match. 6 fours, 5 sixes; blew kisses at 50.
- Shivam Dube: 2/33, Econ 8.25. Dismantled middle order.
- Shubman Gill: 47 off 28, SR 167.86. Powered record stand.
Pakistan
- Sahibzada Farhan: 58 off 45, SR 128.89. Gritty fifty despite two drops.
- Saim Ayub: 42 off 28, SR 150.00. Broke duck streak.
- Faheem Ashraf: 20* off 8, SR 250.00. Explosive finisher.
Series Context
India (2-0 in Super Four, 4-0 overall)
After group wins over Pakistan and UAE, India’s chase dominance positions them as favorites for the September 28 final. Next: Bangladesh (Sep 24), a spin vs seam test.
Pakistan (0-1 in Super Four, 2-1 overall)
Post-group wins over UAE but losses to India, Pakistan’s middle-order issues linger. Win vs Sri Lanka (Sep 23) essential for revival.
Injury and Roster Notes
- India: Axar Patel rested (head injury vs Oman); no other concerns.
- Pakistan: Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat in for Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah; no injuries.
Conclusion
India’s 6-wicket rout of Pakistan (PAK 171/5; IND 174/4) in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four showcased Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks and tactical depth, despite fielding errors. This victory reinforces India’s T20I chase edge over Pakistan. Pakistan promised much but collapsed mid-innings. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, or Reuters.
