The Dubai International Cricket Stadium was electric on Sunday night as India and Pakistan squared off once again in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. The contest, held under the dazzling lights and immense pressure typical of this storied rivalry, saw India emerge victorious by six wickets, continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament and marking their seventh consecutive win against their neighbors across all formats.
But this wasn’t just another cricket match. The tension between the sides was palpable even before the first ball was bowled. In a continuation of the controversy from their previous encounter on September 14, 2025, there were no handshakes between the teams before or after the game. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Agha, kept their distance at the toss, setting a chilly tone that carried through the contest. The ongoing handshake dispute, stemming from political tensions and a recent military conflict, has become a symbol of the broader unease between these two cricketing giants.
On the field, however, it was all business. Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and, showing confidence in his bowlers, elected to field first. Pakistan’s openers, Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan, strode out with intent. Zaman’s stay was brief—he managed 15 off nine balls before falling to Hardik Pandya in the third over, a decision that sparked some debate over the cleanliness of the catch. Farhan, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a gritty 58 off 45 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and three sixes. His half-century celebration—mimicking firing a gun with his bat—was a moment of swagger that briefly lifted Pakistan’s spirits.
By the 10-over mark, Pakistan was cruising at 91-1, with Saim Ayub providing solid support. But the tide turned dramatically after Shivam Dube broke the partnership, dismissing Ayub for 21 and then striking again to remove the well-set Farhan in the 15th over. Dube’s spell, which yielded 2-33, was crucial in stalling Pakistan’s momentum. During the middle overs, India’s wrist spinners—Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav—bowled tightly, conceding just 56 runs in eight overs and taking a solitary wicket. Pakistan’s innings threatened to unravel, with a stretch of 40 balls without a boundary—a testament to India’s disciplined bowling.
Still, the lower order provided some late fireworks. Faheem Ashraf smashed 20 not out off just eight balls, including two towering sixes, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with 21. Pakistan finished on 171-5 from their allotted 20 overs, a total that looked competitive but not daunting on a pitch that seemed to favor the batters under lights.
India’s chase began with a bang. Abhishek Sharma, opening alongside Shubman Gill, set the tone by launching Shaheen Afridi for a six off the very first ball. The pair put on a blistering 105-run partnership in just 59 balls, with Sharma in particular taking the attack to the Pakistan bowlers. His innings of 74 from 39 deliveries, laced with five sixes and six fours, was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting. Gill, too, found his rhythm, contributing a fluent 47 off 28 balls.
The match wasn’t without its flashpoints. A heated exchange between Sharma and Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf forced the umpire to step in and cool tempers. "They were coming at us without any reason, and I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team," Sharma explained after the match. The fire in his belly was evident, and it spurred him to one of his most memorable innings in Indian colors. "If it is my day, I am going to win it for my team," he added.
India’s momentum wobbled briefly after the dismissals of Gill—bowled by Ashraf—and captain Yadav, who fell for a three-ball duck. When Sharma was caught off Abrar Ahmed in the 13th over, India still needed 48 runs with seven wickets in hand. But there was no panic. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson steadied the ship, with Varma ultimately finishing unbeaten on 30. He sealed the victory in style, smashing a six to end the match with 7 balls to spare as India reached 174-4 in 18.5 overs.
The Indian camp was jubilant, but not without self-reflection. India’s fielding was far from perfect, with four (some sources said five) catches dropped during Pakistan’s innings. Suryakumar Yadav addressed this candidly: "The way the boys are stepping up in every game, it’s making my job very easy. The boys showed a lot of character. They were calm after the first 10 overs (of India’s bowling innings). After drinks, I told them the game starts now. That’s fine, he’s not a robot, he will have a bad day someday (talking about Bumrah). Dube bailed us out of the situation. They complement each other really well (Abhishek and Gill). It’s like a fire and ice combination. After the first innings, our fielding coach - T Dilip, has emailed all players who had butter fingers today," Yadav revealed.
Pakistan, for their part, will rue another missed opportunity. Despite a promising start, their middle-order stutter and inability to capitalize on India’s fielding lapses proved costly. The lack of handshakes and on-field confrontations underscored the high stakes and emotional charge that always accompany this rivalry. Yet, both captains avoided referencing the broader political tensions in their post-match remarks, focusing instead on the cricket.
Looking ahead, the Asia Cup’s Super Four stage remains wide open. Pakistan faces a must-win clash against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on September 23, while India will take on Bangladesh in Dubai on September 24. Should both India and Pakistan finish in the top two, fans could be treated to yet another showdown in the final on September 28—a tantalizing prospect given the drama and intensity of their encounters so far.
For now, India’s emphatic win in Dubai cements their status as favorites, but the Asia Cup is far from over. As the teams regroup and look to iron out their flaws, one thing is certain: when India and Pakistan meet, cricket is never just a game—it’s an event that captivates millions, stirs passions, and, for a few hours, brings the sporting world to a standstill.
