India secured a thrilling six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at Dubai, successfully chasing a target of 172 with seven balls to spare. The win was built on an exceptional opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, who put on 105 runs for the first wicket, setting the platform for a confident chase. Sharma’s blistering 74 off 39 balls and Gill’s measured 47 off 28 balls were the standout performances in a high-pressure contest that saw both sides battle intensely.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, posting a total of 171/5 in their 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a well-compiled 58, providing Pakistan with a steady start alongside Saim Ayub. Their opening stand ensured Pakistan was off to a solid foundation, but the middle overs proved costly. Pakistan struggled to accelerate, losing regular wickets at crucial stages, which prevented them from posting a more imposing total. Bowlers like Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi bowled well, but the lack of big-hitting in the death overs left Pakistan slightly under par for the conditions.
Chasing 172, India started aggressively, with Abhishek Sharma taking the attack to Pakistan from the first over. He dispatched the ball to the boundary with intent, striking five sixes and several fours, showing excellent timing and awareness. Shubman Gill complemented him perfectly, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. Together, the duo dominated the powerplay, taking India to 105/0 and putting Pakistan on the back foot. Their partnership was characterized by smart running between the wickets, calculated aggression, and flawless shot selection.
After the fall of the openers, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya stabilized the innings while maintaining the required run rate. Varma’s composure under pressure and Pandya’s finishing ability ensured that India chased down the target confidently, sealing the victory with seven balls to spare. Sharma’s knock was particularly notable not just for its power but also for its timing; he consistently attacked the bowlers at key moments to keep India ahead in the chase. Gill’s innings, though shorter, was equally important in holding the innings together and building momentum.
This victory extended India’s unbeaten run in the Super Four stage, boosting their net run rate and confidence for the remaining fixtures. Pakistan, despite getting a solid start from Farhan, will need to address their middle-order inconsistencies and improve their finishing skills if they hope to compete against top teams in the later stages of the tournament. The match also highlighted India’s batting depth and ability to recover from pressure situations, with young talents stepping up in critical moments.
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