The much-anticipated Super Four clash of Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan took place at Dubai International Stadium. Both teams entered with high hopes and strong line-ups.
The match was played under tense atmosphere, with both cricketing and off-field drama adding to the rivalry. When it all ended, India won by 6 wickets, chasing down Pakistan’s total with some impressive batting and composed finisher work.
Match Outcome & Summary
- Pakistan batted first and scored 171/5 in their 20 overs. Their innings was built around a gritty half-century from Sahibzada Farhan (58), with useful lower-order hitting from Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha.
- India chased the target in 18.5 overs, finishing at 174/4, with 7 balls to spare.
- Key contributors in the chase were Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) and Shubman Gill (47 off 28), who forged a powerful opening partnership. In the end, Tilak Varma (30*, 19) and Hardik Pandya closed out the game with calm and control.
Playing XIs & Notable Players
Here are the probable playing XIs for both teams and their roles. These were expected line-ups before play, many of whom did make their impact in this match.
| Team | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| India | Abhishek Sharma | Batter (Opener) |
| Shubman Gill | Batter (Opener) | |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | Batter / Captain | |
| Tilak Varma | Batter / Finisher | |
| Sanju Samson (wk) | Wicketkeeper / Batter | |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder | |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder | |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner | |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder / Spinner | |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Fast Bowler | |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Spinner |
| Team | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Sahibzada Farhan | Batter |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batter | |
| Saim Ayub | Batter / Top Order | |
| Salman Ali Agha (c) | Captain / Batter | |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | Wicketkeeper / Lower Batter | |
| Faheem Ashraf | All-rounder | |
| Haris Rauf | Fast Bowler | |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Fast Bowler | |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner | |
| Khushdil Shah | Batter | |
| Hasan Nawaz | All-rounder / Spin Option |
Key Moments & Star Performances
- Abhishek Sharma lit up the chase right from ball one, playing aggressively and scoring 74 runs off 39 balls. His quick boundaries and big hits set the pace.
- Shubman Gill provided excellent support at the other end, scoring 47 runs off 28 balls, helping to build a strong opening stand that put pressure on Pakistan early.
- Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan held his side together with his 58, but after his dismissal, the momentum slipped.
- Among Indian bowlers, the spinners—including Kuldeep Yadav and others—bowled with control in the middle overs, curbing Pakistan’s ability to accelerate.
- In the final overs, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 30 off quick deliveries, and calm finishing by Hardik Pandya secured the win comfortably.
What This Win Means
- India’s victory strengthens their position in the Super Four stage, boosting confidence and reinforcing their dominance in recent India-Pakistan contests.
- Pakistan, though showing flashes, will need more consistent performances, especially in the middle order and handling pressure when chasing or defending totals.
- The match also had a lot of off-field talk—no shake-hands, gestures, and crowd tension—which show how big this rivalry still is, both on and off the pitch.
Final Thoughts
This India vs Pakistan game lived up to its hype. It had strong batting displays, tactical bowling, and too many talking points. India showed composure, depth, and big match temperament. Pakistan had moments but couldn’t sustain the momentum when it mattered most.
Fans will remember Abhishek Sharma’s blitz, Gill’s stability, and the calmness of the finish. For Pakistan, Farhan’s half-century was a highlight but not enough. As the Asia Cup progresses, both teams will look to sharpen their strategies—but today, the credit goes to India for executing better under pressure.
