DUBAI: Abhishek Sharma’s explosive half-century guided India to a six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their Super Four encounter of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 172, India cruised home with seven balls to spare, led by Sharma’s 74 off 39 deliveries that included six fours and five sixes. His opening stand of 105 with Shubman Gill laid the foundation for the successful chase.
India’s Flying Start
Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India the perfect platform with a blistering 105-run opening partnership inside 10 overs.
Gill played a fluent hand of 47 off 28 balls, striking eight boundaries, before falling to all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Pakistan hit back as Haris Rauf dismissed captain Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed removed the dangerous Sharma soon after. From 123-3, the chase briefly looked uncertain, but India’s middle order ensured no further collapse.
Varma Steadies Chase
Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson added 13 before being bowled by Rauf, leaving India 148-4. However, Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 30 off 19 deliveries, hitting two sixes and two fours.
He was supported by all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who made seven not out, as India reached the target with seven balls to spare.
Rauf was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with figures of 2-26, while Ashraf and Abrar took one wicket each.
Farhan Anchors Pakistan Innings
Earlier, Pakistan posted 171-5 after being sent in to bat. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was the mainstay, compiling a composed 58 off 45 balls with five boundaries and three sixes.
He built a 72-run stand with Saim Ayub (21) after Fakhar Zaman departed for 15 following a controversial third-umpire decision in the third over.
Saim’s dismissal by Shivam Dube triggered a brief slump, with Pakistan losing two wickets in quick succession. Farhan fell soon after, miscuing a shot off Dube, while Hussain Talat managed only 10.
Cameos Lift Pakistan Late
Pakistan’s innings regained momentum through skipper Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz, who added a brisk 34 for the fifth wicket. Nawaz hit 21 off 19 balls before being dismissed, while Salman remained unbeaten on 17.
A late cameo from Faheem Ashraf, who smashed 20 off just eight deliveries, helped Pakistan close on a competitive 171.
For India, Dube was the most successful bowler with 2-34, while Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a wicket apiece.
