India extended their T20I dominance over Pakistan to 11-3 with a commanding seven-wicket win in Dubai, cruising past their rivals in the Asia Cup group stage. The contest was one-sided from the very first over, when Hardik Pandya dismissed Saim Ayub off the first legal ball, setting the tone for a ruthless Indian performance.
Pakistan’s innings never found momentum against India’s superior attack. Jasprit Bumrah struck in his opening spell, dismissing Mohammad Haris, before the spinners took control. Kuldeep Yadav led the charge with 3-18, while Axar Patel’s disciplined 2-18 and Varun Chakravarthy’s tight spells ensured runs dried up. In total, 63 balls in Pakistan’s innings went scoreless, with the strike rate only crossing a run per ball in the very last over.
Sahibzada Farhan offered brief resistance with a gritty 40, becoming the first Pakistani to clear Bumrah for six in an international match and only the sixth batter worldwide to do it twice in T20Is. But his innings ended as the death overs began, leaving Pakistan on the back foot. Shaheen Shah Afridi provided late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls — his highest T20I score — to lift Pakistan to 127/9, a total far short of challenging India’s batting lineup.
Chasing 128, India made their intent clear immediately. Abhishek Sharma tore into Afridi, smashing back-to-back boundaries and a soaring six in the opening over. Shubman Gill followed up with consecutive fours, pushing India past 40 inside four overs. Though both openers fell to Ayub, their aggressive start ensured Pakistan’s bowlers never had control.
The middle overs slowed India slightly, with just 39 runs coming in seven overs. Tilak Varma contributed a steady 31 before departing, but the target never felt out of reach. Captain Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with composure, finishing unbeaten on 47 off 37 deliveries. He was supported by Shivam Dube, as India sealed victory with 25 balls to spare.
The match underlined the gulf in quality between the two sides. India’s bowlers consistently pressured Pakistan into risky strokes, while their batters navigated the chase with calm assurance. For Pakistan, Farhan and Afridi stood out, but it was not enough to trouble a disciplined and power-packed Indian side.
With two wins from two, India look firmly set for the Super Fours, while Pakistan must now beat hosts UAE to stay alive in the tournament.
