Chasing 172 for a win, Sharma smashed 74 off 39 balls, studded with six boundaries and five maximums, and shared a 105-run opening stand with Gill (47 off 28 balls), as India reached 174/4 in 18.5 overs.
India vs Pakistan HIGHLIGHTS, Asia Cup 2025
India defeated Pakistan by six wickets. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill got the team off to a great start and added 105 runs for the first wicket. Shubman Gill missed out on a fifty but Abhishek punished Pakistan bowlers en route to a brilliant 74. India lost Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson cheaply, but the game was done and dusted way before that. Earlier, the Men in Green were off to a great start and were 91-1 in 10 overs. They, however, could not get the big finish after the fall of Farhan. The Indian bowlers were brilliant in the second half and didn’t allow Pakistan to fetch easy runs. Pakistan could have scored less than 160, but an eight-ball 20 by Faheem Ashraf helped them cross the 170-run mark.
Explosive Start Seals India’s Victory
Firstly, opener Abhishek Sharma smashed 74 off just 39 balls. Consequently, he powered India to a six-wicket Super 4 win over Pakistan. Moreover, his knock featured six boundaries and five massive sixes. Therefore, India chased down 172 with ease in 18.5 overs.
Century Stand Breaks Pakistan’s Back
Additionally, Sharma shared a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. Gill contributed 47 from only 28 deliveries. As a result, India raced to 100 in merely 8.4 overs. Furthermore, this partnership completely shifted the game’s momentum early on.
Middle-Order Wobble But No Panic
However, India faced a mini slump soon after. Both openers departed in quick succession. Then, captain Suryakumar Yadav fell for a duck. Nevertheless, Tilak Varma stayed calm with an unbeaten 30. Also, Hardik Pandya added 7* to seal the win safely.
Dube’s Spell Halts Pakistan’s Charge
Earlier, Pakistan looked dangerous at 91/1 halfway. But Shivam Dube broke their momentum brilliantly. He dismissed Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21). Their 72-run stand ended thanks to Dube’s crucial intervention. Thus, Pakistan’s innings lost steam rapidly.
Spinners Strangle Pakistani Batters
Moreover, India’s spinners dominated the middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel applied relentless pressure. Consequently, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships. Eventually, they posted a competitive but chaseable 171/8.
No Handshake, High Tension Match
Interestingly, there was no handshake at the toss again. Captain Suryakumar Yadav ignored Pakistan’s Salman Agha. This followed tensions after the Pahalgam attack. Therefore, the match carried extra political and emotional weight.
India’s Dominance Continues Unbroken
Notably, India also beat Pakistan by seven wickets earlier in the group stage. Now, they have won all four Asia Cup 2025 matches. Hence, they remain the clear tournament favorites. Also, their bench strength and spin attack look unmatched.
Abhishek Emerges as New T20 Star
Clearly, Abhishek Sharma is India’s breakout performer. He owns a staggering 195+ strike rate in T20Is. Plus, he has already scored two centuries. Undoubtedly, he will be key in India’s title defense moving forward.
Pakistan Must Regroup Quickly
Meanwhile, Pakistan now faces an uphill battle. They need to win their remaining Super 4 games. Otherwise, they risk an early exit. Also, their top order must deliver more consistently under pressure.
Next Up: India Eyes Final Spot
Next, India will face Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Super 4. Their strong net run rate gives them a big advantage. Ultimately, they aim to reach the final and retain their Asia Cup crown. Fans eagerly await their next explosive performance.