HIGHLIGHTS India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025, Super Four - 2 T20- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for India's response with the bat. The umpires and players make their way out to the middle. Salman Agha leads his men out as the players of Pakistan scatter throughout the park and take their positions. Abhishek Sharma will partner with Shubman Gill to open for India. We saw the odd ball holding up a bit off the deck in the first innings, and there was a bit of early movement as well. But how much impact will dew make, IF there is any? Let's find out. Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over, Abhishek to face. But for starters, Shaheen vs Gill will be a very spicy match-up to watch out for. The countdown is over, and here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Pakistan have posted a challenging total on the board. And this is the first time, India will be chasing a target as big as this in this Asia Cup. A strong start from Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma becomes a non-negotiable for the Indians. Whereas the Pakistan bowlers will be desperate to snag a couple of early wickets to push India on the back foot. It is pretty even-stevens at this point and to know where the scales tilt eventually, do stick around with us as the run chase is on the other side very shortly.

However, cricket is a game of phases and to gain a complete upper hand, one needs to be consistent. Pakistan could not sustain that. 10.3, right after the break, Shivam Dube broke the deadlock for India, and from there, the wheels just came off for Pakistan. The Indian spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, found an opening and just gatecrashed through it, completely choking the run rate. Dube produced another gold by dismissing Farhan on 58, and with that, Pakistan slipped from a very commanding 93/1 to 115/4. From overs 11-15, Pakistan could only score 28 runs, losing three big wickets, without a boundary in that phase. And with an intention to bail their side out of the hole, Agha, Nawaz, and Faheem, with their late cameos, helped Pakistan to post 171.

They say, you can have an off day with the bat, or with the ball as well, but an off day in the field proves really stinging. Abhishek Sharma dropped two catches of Sahibzada Farhan, who looked in an overdrive mode and also sprinkled salt on India's wounds with a blistering fifty. Saim Ayub and Farhan formed a stable partnership of 72 runs, and at that point, Pakistan were looking to finish in excess of 200, with enough wickets in hand and sloggers yet to come to bat.

Pakistan’s concern had often been their slow starts in the Powerplay, but a new opening pair flipped that narrative. Fakhar Zaman looked dangerous before his dismissal sparked plenty of debate. Sahibzada Farhan, after a major reprieve early on, took the bold route of attacking Jasprit Bumrah - and that bravery paid off, unsettling India’s lengths. To make matters worse for India, Kuldeep Yadav put down a sitter off Saim Ayub, and with so much happening, Pakistan made the most of it to finish the Powerplay at 55/1.

After a long, long time, this one has given a proper vibe to an India vs Pakistan game. In all fairness, Pakistan came out much improved with the bat. They bossed the initial phase, but then India sprang back strongly, controlling the middle overs. But it was then followed by a strong finish from the finishers as Pakistan managed to score 42 runs off the last 3 overs. India could have actually restricted them to a total way less than this, had they managed to cling on to easy catches that they grassed through and through.

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, SIX! Faheem Ashraf manages to apply the finishing touches and Pakistan go beyond 170. Full and wide again from Pandya, Ashraf reaches out and manages to get to the ball. The ball gets sliced and it goes flat, over the leaping fielder at deep backward point for a six. 14 off the final over and Pakistan finish with 171/5 on the board!

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, That's perfect from Pandya! Goes for the wide yorker again and lands it right in the blockhole and an inch or so inside the tramline outside off as well. Faheem Ashraf can't lay a bat on it.

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, Wide! Goes for the wide yorker, gets the length perfect but just lands it beyond the tramline outside off. Ashraf fails to reach it and a wide is called.

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, Pandya takes pace off once again and digs it in a bit short around off, Faheem Ashraf is early into the pull and mistimes it over wide mid on. The fielder in the deep charges in but the batters did well to complete the second run.

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, No run there! Another slower ball, on a hard length and around off, Ashraf ends up punching it just to the right off the bowler.

Hardik Pandya to Faheem Ashraf, FOUR! Fortuitous for the batter! A well-directed short ball around off, Faheem Ashraf looks to pull but the ball angles across him and catches the top edge, flying over the keeper and into the deep third fence.

Hardik Pandya to Salman Agha, Takes pace off and bowls it wide outside off, Salman Agha walks past the off stump and mistimes the shot towards cover and only for a single.

Hardik Pandya to bowl the final over. He is 2-0-15-1 so far. Also, India have been penalized for not completing their overs on time. Meaning, an extra fielder will have to be stationed inside the 30-yard circle. How much benefit can Pakistan take from this? Let's find out...

Jasprit Bumrah to Faheem Ashraf, Full and wide outside off, Faheem Ashraf reaches out to slash it away but misses.

Jasprit Bumrah to Faheem Ashraf, DROPPED! Catch number 4 shelled by India! This time, the guilty party is Shubman Gill! An off-cutter from Bumrah, outside off, on a length. Faheem Ashraf heaves across the line, but gets a top edge and the ball flies towards deep square leg. Shubman Gill runs to his left to catch it, but just does not settle under it nicely, and shells a regulation chance. Two taken! Jasprit Bumrah has a helpless smile on his face as he loads up to bowl the final delivery of his spell.

Jasprit Bumrah to Faheem Ashraf, SIX! Faheem Ashraf is up and running in style! Shortish length, angled in at the body, Ashraf picks it up and swings it away over the vacant fine leg fence for a six. 150 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Faheem Ashraf is in at 7.

Jasprit Bumrah to Salman Agha, OUT! NAWAZ IS RUN OUT! Salman Agha is early to walk down the track and also gets across to the off side. Bumrah tries to bowl a yorker but ends up serving a full toss, which Salman miscues straight to mid-wicket and the batters pick up a single. Oh. hold on! There's an appeal for a run out and the third umpire is called in. Actually, what happened was that the single was completed and Nawaz was wandering out of his crease. However, the fielder backing up, who was Suryakumar Yadav, showed great awareness and cheekily fired in a direct hit at the keeper's end. Mohammad Nawaz was caught off guard and replays show that he failed to drag his bat home in time. Bizarre run out and not a great game awareness from Nawaz! This could potentially minus a few runs off the total. Mohammad Nawaz departs for 21 off 19 balls and Pakistan are 149/5.

Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nawaz, Another yorker, angles it in towards the legs and this time Nawaz is able to jam it down towards long on for a single.

Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nawaz, That has been nailed! A searing yorker at 141 km/h and lands it right at the base of the off stump. Mohammad Nawaz can do nothing more than just dig it out.

Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nawaz, Comes around the wicket and bowls an off-cutter wide outside off. This one gips and ends up beyond the tramline. Wide called.

Who bowls the penultimate? Hardik or Bumrah? The latter. Having an off day, here's Jasprit Bumrah (3-0-34-0) to bowl the 19th.

Shivam Dube to Salman Agha, Make that 17 off the over and Dube's exceptional spell is somewhat ruined. Slower one into the pitch, Salman comes forward and forces it straight back past the bowler for another couple of runs.

Shivam Dube to Salman Agha, A length ball, wide outside off, Salman follows the ball by moving past the off stump and smacks it wide of sweepr cover for another brace. 15 off the over with a ball to go.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, Dug in well short, Nawaz comesdown the track and forces the ball down through the cover region for a single.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, FOUR! That's streaky! Dube misses the wide yorker and ends up serving a low full toss. Nawaz hangs back and throws his hands at it but edges it down, fine of Hardik Pandya at short third and the ball races away to the fence.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, Hard length from Dube, Nawaz looks to pump it back over the bowler's head but gets it high on the bat. The ball lands between long off and long on and the batters are able to pick up two runs.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX! High, high and just long enough! Short of a length and over middle, Mohammad Nawaz plays the pull off the front foot and lits it high towards deep mid-wicket as the ball just sails over the ropes.

Shivam Dube (3-0-16-2) is back on to wrap his spell up.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Yadav does well to concede only 8 runs in that over after being hit for a 6 on the first ball. This is fired in full and wide outside off but Salman again leaves it in hopes of a wide.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Brings out the googly and bowls it a bit flat on off, Salman sets up to sweep but bails out of the shot and ends up awkwardly defending it out.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Dragged length around off, Salman comes down the track and swings it away wide of of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Quicker and fuller, lands it around leg. Salman Agha looks to get inside the line and sweep but misses and the ball just clips the pads. Kuldeep Yadav is very excited and appeals for LBW but the umpire isn't interested. However, KD convinces his skipper to take the review and the third umpire is called into action. There's no spike on UltraEdge but Ball Tracking confirms that the ball was clearly pitching outside the line of leg stump.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Flattens it up and darts it wide outside off, Salman Agha just watches it go past him in hopes of a wide but that's well inside the tramline.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, SIX! Now, that will break the shackles for Salman Agha and for Pakistan. Tossed up on leg stump, Agha advances and forces the lofted shot over Hardik Pandya's head at long off and picks up a six. The streak of 40 balls without a boundary is finally broken.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nawaz, Another tidy over for India as this one goes for just a couple of runs. Length, on middle, stabbed back at the bowler. Varun Chakaravarthy ends his spell with very economical figures of 4-0-25-0.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nawaz, Nicely tossed on the stumps, a firm push by Nawaz to the bowler.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nawaz, Oh, run out chance created, but no harm done! This one pops off the deck, around off. Nawaz is taken aback and fends it to the off side. Agha is keen to pinch in a single, but Nawaz sends him back on a sharp call. Samson runs to his left and throws it flat to the bowler, with Agha struggling to make his ground. However, Varun Chakaravarthy does not cleanly collect the ball and breaks the stumps without the ball in his hand. This allows Agha to drag his bat in.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nawaz, A carrom ball, on a length, spinning in from middle. Nawaz hangs deep in the crease and stabs it onto the pitch.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Salman Agha, Half an appeal for LBW, but not entertained. Full and on middle, spinning in a touch. Salman Agha tries to play the sweep shot, but inside edges it to the short fine leg region for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nawaz, Fuller and around off, Nawaz steers it to the point region for a single. A bit of yes and no, but they eventually make it home at their ends.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, Oh, nearly dragged on! At 127.3 kph, full and outside off. Mohammad Nawaz tries to push at it and gets a thick inside edge. The ball rolls past the stumps towards square leg for a single. Another productive over for India. Just 4 runs and a huge wicket of Farhan from it. Also, just 28 runs off the last 5 overs for Pakistan.

Shivam Dube to Salman Agha, Back of a length, outside off, steered off the back foot to the point region for a single.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, Full ball, just around off, Mohammad Nawaz presses forward and drives it through the cover region for a single.

Shivam Dube to Mohammad Nawaz, A slip in for Nawaz! Outside off, on a good length, at 128.9 kph. Mohammad Nawaz hangs back and chop-cuts it to the point region.

Shivam Dube to Salman Agha, Good length, on middle, knocked down to long on for a single. Agha is off the mark.

The skipper, Salman Agha walks out to bat now.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! Pakistan are losing their momentum and this is a huge dent as Sahibzada Farhan is the one to depart now! Shivam Dube continues to strike gold and gets his second wicket. Hurls it on a good length, just around off, Sahibzada Farhan stands tall and tries to heave across the line, but he is a bit early through his shot and also loses the grip of his bat. As a result, the ball gets sliced up towards the off side, and Suryakumar Yadav settles underneath to take a simple catch. He is not dropping those dollies. Sahibzada Farhan departs for 58 (45) and Pakistan have slipped down from 93/1 to 115/4.

Will Shivam Dube get a third over? He's bowled really well so far and yes, he does get one more over.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, Another quiet over in terms of runs. Slower through the air, on a length, spinning away from off. Nawaz goes deep inside the crease and chops it to the left of the first slip fielder. A wicket and just 5 runs off this over. Kuldeep Yadav's figures read 3-0-23-1.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, Drags the length back, drifting on the leg stump. Nawaz goes back and tucks it across to the leg side.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, Good shot, great execution in the field! Top class cricket all around. Quicker from Kuldeep, full and on middle. Nawaz goes down on his knee and sweeps it flat and on the bounce to deep square leg. Shubman Gill from deep mid-wicket runs across to his left and stretches out his left hand to flick the ball inside the playing area. Saves two for his side.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, On the flatter trajectory, on middle and leg. Mohammad Nawaz goes back and nudges it to square leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, Oh, a fumble and the batters get the extra run! Floated up around off, Mohammad Nawaz presses back to push at it but gets more of an outside edge past short third. Varun Chakaravarthy chases it down but fumbles and the batters race back for the second run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Nawaz, Wide! Flatter delivery, darted down the leg side for a wide.

Mohammad Nawaz has now been sent in at number 5. Pakistan are looking to maintain a left-hand, right-hand combination for as long as possible.

Kuldeep Yadav to Hussain Talat, OUT! TAKEN! GONE! Well, a brief quiet phase where boundaries didn't come, and something had to give to keep up with the scoring rate. Kuldeep dishes out a full delivery, keeping it outside the off stump. Hussain Talat tries to be adventurous and employs the reverse sweep. Goes through the shot, but ends up getting a thick leading edge. The ball spoons in the air, to the right of Varun Chakaravarthy stationed at short fine leg, moves to that direction and takes an easy catch. Pakistan lose another. Hussain Talat departs for 10 (11) and Pakistan are 110/3.

Kuldeep Yadav is back into the attack, replacing Varun Chakaravarthy.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, Well bowled! Short in length, at a gentle pace, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan opts to let it pass alone. No wide given. Third consecutive boundary-less over for Pakistan. 7 off Dube's second. Pakistan have scored just 19 runs in the last three overs.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Slower short delivery, outside off. Hussain Talat climbs on the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, Another one, way outside off, full in length. Sahibzada Farhan shuffles to the off side and drags it between long on and deep mid-wicket for a single.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, WIDE! Slower delivery, at 112.5 kph, miles outside off. Farhan tries to go after it, but aborts. Wide called.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Hits the deck hard, on middle. Hussain Talat hops off and tries to nudge it across to the leg side, but the ball goes off the outer half to cover for a single.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Full ball, outside off. Hussain Talat advances down the track and tries to hit it too hard, but ends up slicing off the leading edge towards the left of deep third. Jasprit Bumrah runs across and dives to cut it off. Fumbles a bit, but manages to recover well in the end. Two taken.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, Slower ball, an off cutter, on off, on a length. Sahibzada Farhan heaves it off the inside half of the bat to widish long on for a single.

Shivam Dube to continue...

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Excellent over from Varun! Full and outside off, quicker at 96.4 kph. Sahibzada Farhan carves it through the cover and mid off gap for a single. 7 off this over, and just 12 off the last two overs for Pakistan.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Hussain Talat, Pushed through, full and around off. Hussain Talat leans forward and taps it with soft hands to the cover-point region for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Hussain Talat, Dropped short and around off, Hussain Talat hangs back and punches it to the cover fielder.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Goes with the arm, on a length, outside off, worked to deep point for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Hussain Talat, Good running this! Full from around the stumps, drifting in on middle and leg. Hussain Talat plays the lap shot towards deep fine leg. Abhishek Sharma from the first slip sprints to chase it down and the batters push harder for the third run before the throw comes toward the keeper. THE 100 IS UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, A wrong' un by the looks of it, around off, on a fuller length. Sahibzada Farhan backs away, creates room and lofts it off the toe end, but over mid off for a single.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Back of a length, outside off. Hussain Talat hops off the back foot and cuts it straight to the point fielder. A very tidy and successful over from Shivam Dube as he gets a big wicket of Saim Ayub and goes for just 5 runs.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Gets away with the Free Hit, does Dube! Slams it hard into the deck, outside off, Hussain Talat throws his bat at it, and tries to slash it away to the off side, but gets a thick inside edge and the ball dribbles behind to the keeper.

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, NO BALL! Dube has overstepped! Hard length, angled across the batter, skidding through. Hussain Talat tries to slash it square of the wicket, but misses. Free Hit to follow...

Shivam Dube to Hussain Talat, Good length, outside off, chopped towads to the widish short third fielder for a couple.

Hussain Talat walks out to bat at number 4.

Shivam Dube to Saim Ayub, OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! A screamer of a catch from Abhishek Sharma who was guilty of dropping a couple of catches earlier in the game. Shivam Dube with the golden arm as he breaks the 72-run partnership for the second wicket. Dube bangs it short and keeps it around the off pole. Saim Ayub again lifts his front leg up and tries to play the 'Nataraja' pull shot, but only manages to get a top edge. The ball pops straight up and hangs for quite a bit. Abhishek Sharma from deep backward square leg, runs forward, and even with another fielder, from short fine leg, converging in, it doesn't affect his peripheral vision. Sharma dives forward, with both hands stretched out and takes a fantastic diving catch. Saim Ayub departs for 21 (17) and Pakistan are 93/2.

Shivam Dube to Saim Ayub, Back of a length, at 127.1, just outside off. Saim Ayub lifts his front leg up to pull, but misses as the ball shoots low and passes below the inside edge.

Shivam Dube to Saim Ayub, WIDE! Reload! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline. Left alone. Wide called.

Shivam Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, Had to hurry! Back of a length, on off, Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and taps it to the cover region for a quick single.

DRINKS BREAK. So far, so good from Pakistan. They have shown a really positive intent from the first ball and have received the rewards for an aggressive approach. Dropping Sahibzada Farhan twice, and Saim Ayub once, India have looked really sloppy in the field and they need to break this partnership as quickly as possible to put a lid on the scoring. However, seemingly, the ball hasn't got enough grip and turn this time around for the spinners and hence, it has made batting look comfortable. Also, attacking India's main man, Jasprit Bumrah early doors proved to be really fruitful for Pakistan. If either of these two blokes bat till the end, 200 is well within reach. Here's Shivam Dube to bowl after the break.

Axar Patel to Sahibzada Farhan, Gives it a bit of flight and bowls it around off, Farhan punches it down to long off for a single and Pakistan are 91/1 at the halfway mark in their innings.

Axar Patel to Sahibzada Farhan, The arm ball now from Axar, Farhan gets tucked up and jams it across to mid-wicket.

Axar Patel to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter delivery, aiming the top of off stump, Farhan keeps it out.

Axar Patel to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! Sahibzada Farhan is just using brute force now and he brings up his FIFTY in style. This is fractionally short and around off, Farhan hangs deep in the crease and crunches the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. His 4th T20I half century for Farhan, and he also brings up 500 runs in T20Is.

Axar Patel to Sahibzada Farhan, Sees the batter advancing and fires it right at the batter. Farhan has to adjust and keeps it out.

Axar Patel to Saim Ayub, A shortish ball, angled across the left-hander by Axar. Ayub rocks back and swats it down to long on for a single.

India use their third spinner. Here's Axar Patel into the attack, replacing Varun Chakaravarthy.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, Tossed up at the stumps, Farhan comes down the pitch and smothers it away.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, Close call, but Sahibzada Farhan is in! This is the wrong'un from Yadav, and he lands it a bit fuller on off. Farhan looks across the line, but is beaten, and Sanju Samson is quick to pouch the ball and dislodge the bails. The umpires do go upstairs to check, and the replay confirms that Farhan's back leg is planted inside the crease when the bails come off.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, SIX! The floodgates have opened and Pakistan are on the charge. Tossed up around the leg stump, right in the slot. Sahibzada Farhan simply clears the front leg and swings with the turn, dispatching it beyond the mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, Dragged length around middle, nudged away in front of mid-wicket for a single by Ayub.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, A bit of turn now for KD! Nagging length, lands it on middle and leg, and gets it to turn away from the left-hander. Ayub miscues it to cover and looks for a single, but is sent back.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, SIX! That's a clean hit! Tossed up from Kuldeep and on leg. Saim Ayub dances down the track, backs away and lifts it over the bowler's head for a biggie. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, On a length and outside off, hit away to covers.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Saim Ayub, Lobbed just back over the bowler's head! Straighter one from Varun Chakaravarthy, Ayub looks to play it off the back foot but the ball holds in the deck and catches the batter off guard. The ball loops back over the bowler's head and the batters get a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Quicker one around off, a bit short and punched away through covers for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, DROPPED AND SIX! Abhishek Sharma has just parried that one over the ropes but it was a very difficult chance. A carrom ball from Varun and Sahibzada Farhan charges down the track, pummeling it wide of long on where Sharma runs across and reaches out with his right hand, but the ball bursts through and tips over the ropes. This is the second lifeline for Sahibzada Farhan. Only time will tell how costly it will prove for India.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Saim Ayub, Short and outside off, stands up for the batter but Saim Ayub cuts it to deep coverfor only a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Varun switches ends and starts off with an off-break. Farhan lunges and gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, Oh, that stayed low! Fired in towards middle, this one turns back in and stays low but Farhan manages to press back and jam it out through mid off for another single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, Bowled flatter and straighter at the stumps, Ayub forces it down the ground to long on for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, Wide! A flipper from KD but this one lands down the leg side for an extra.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, Flatter trajectory, bowled on a length and on off, Farhan rocks back and pulls it down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, A bit quicker, full and on off, driven straight to covers by Farhan.

Kuldeep Yadav to Sahibzada Farhan, Nicely flighted, a touch wide outside off, Sahibzada Farhan reaches for it and pushes it towards cover.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saim Ayub, Starts over the wicket and floats it full on leg stump, Ayub takes the front leg out and drives it down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack, right after the Powerplay.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! HAMMERED! Serves into the slot, around off. Sahibzada Farhan clears the front leg and lifts it over mid off for a boundary. Another expensive over from Jasprit Bumrah as he goes for 13 off his third over. His figures read 3-0-34-0. A very positive Powerplay for Pakistan as they are 55/1.

Jasprit Bumrah to Saim Ayub, Full and just around off. Saim Ayub hits it through the line, and drives it straight down the ground. Mid on and mid off are after it and one of those fielders cut it off before the ropes. Three taken. 50 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, Slower short ball, on the stumps. Sahibzada Farhan is through the pull shot a bit early, and plays it uppishly to deep square. The fielder collects that on the bounce for a single.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, A bit too full, on off, Sahibzada Farhan hammers it straight back to Bumrah. The third umpire checks whether Bumrah has overstepped, and the verdict comes as this is a fair delivery.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Bumrah hasn't been allowed to settle! Short of a good length, just outside off. Sahibzada Farhan heaves it between mid-wicket and mid on, playing a bit uppishly and finds the fence.

Jasprit Bumrah to Saim Ayub, Full and on middle and leg. Saim Ayub flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Jasprit Bumrah (2-0-21-0) to continue...

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, EDGED, FOUR! Drifts into the batter, full and on middle. Sahibzada Farhan tries to slog that across the line, but gets an outside edge and the ball flies over the first slip fielder for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, On the stumps, skidding through, Sahibzada Farhan is rushed on the back foot and chops off the inside edge.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Saim Ayub, DROPPED! Goodness me! Kuldeep Yadav has dropped an absolute sitter! An off break from Varun, around the stumps, on off. Saim Ayub tries to sweep it away, but gets a top edge. The ball hangs straight up, over short fine leg. Kuldeep Yadav has enough time to settle under it to take the catch, but just doesn't position himself well. Goes with hard hands, and the ball pops in and out of the palms. A single taken. A huge relief for Farhan due to a schoolboy error from Kuldeep.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Full and at 95.2 kph, on off. Sahibzada Farhan drags it across with a sweep to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Slides in through the air, full and around off. Sahibzada Farhan shuffles to the leg side, and tries to sweep it across the line, but inside edges onto the front pad. The ball rolls on the strip.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Sahibzada Farhan, Quicker one, at 93.4 kph, just outside off, on a length. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and works it to the point region.

First signs of spin as Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack for India. Also, the on-air discussion continues regarding the Fakhar Zaman dismissal and similar to Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram also feels that the third umpire didn't have enough conclusive evidence, as there was no side-angle camera view and because of that, the benefit of the doubt should have gone to the batter. The wicket is a point of discussion because of how Zaman was playing and taking Jasprit Bumrah on, but what's done is done.

Jasprit Bumrah to Saim Ayub, Takes pace off, on a good length, around off. Saim Ayub waits back and dabs it to the off side, beside the strip. Jasprit Bumrah goes for 11 runs in his second over and his figures read 2-0-21-0 so far.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, Good response from Bumrah! A yorker, at the stumps. Farhan drills it between mid off and mid on. Suryakumar Yadav from mid off cuts it off to his right. A single taken.

Another halt in the play! Jasprit Bumrah looks perplexed but Sahibzada Farhan isn't happy with something, something that is going on beyond the sight screen, which is seemingly hampering his vision. The umpires get it sorted again and we are good to play.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, NO BALL, FOUR! That's pretty loose from Bumrah! Slips in a full toss, above the waist height, around off. Sahibzada Farhan swings with all his might and heaves it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary. Free Hit to follow...

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, Another yorker, on the money, at 140.4 kph, Sahibzada Farhan jams the bat down and shovels it out to the off side.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, Fires in a yorker, at 141.7 kph, on off. Sahibzada Farhan clears the front leg and carves it to mid off.

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, Nips back in a touch, on off. Sahibzada Farhan gets on the back foot and forces it to the off side.

There seems to be an issue behind the sight screen. The umpire walks towards the boundary ropes to sort it out and we can continue...

Jasprit Bumrah to Sahibzada Farhan, FOUR! Oh, that has been cracked away! Way too short by Bumrah, on off. Sahibzada Farhan swivels and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary. That literally went like a tracer bullet.

Hardik Pandya to Saim Ayub, Hard length, slightly outside off, Saim Ayub blocks it off the back foot.

Hardik Pandya to Saim Ayub, WIDE! For height! Banged short and well over the head height of the batter. Saim dodges under it. Wide called.

Hardik Pandya to Saim Ayub, FOUR! First runs for Saim Ayub in this Asia Cup! Short from Hardik, on top of off. Saim Ayub picks the length in a trice and pulls it off the back foot to the vacant deep square leg region for a boundary!

Hardik Pandya to Saim Ayub, Survives the first ball, does Saim! Fuller and around off, pushed to the off side firmly.

Saim Ayub walks in at number 3. He is yet to score a single run in this Asia Cup and is coming on the back off three straight ducks, so there will be some nerves.

Hardik Pandya to Fakhar Zaman, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hardik Pandya provides the first breakthrough for India and again, Pakistan lose at least one of their openers inside the Powerplay. Fakhar Zaman was looking really positive but will have to walk back. Hardik hurls a full ball, by taking the pace off, just around off, and it nips away late off the deck. Fakhar hangs the bat away from the body and just casually pokes at it and gets a faint outside edge. The ball shoots behind and dips low, in front of Sanju Samson who bends low, planting his left leg on the ground, and tries to scoop the ball in his mitts. Sanju Samson is claiming the catch, but Fakhar Zaman is going nowhere. The umpires converge and send it upstairs for a review. The third umpire is pretty certain that there is an edge and now, it is being checked whether the ball bumped before Samson's gloves. After a couple of replays, it is confirmed that the ball landed on the fingers of the keeper and went through. So, it is deemed a clean catch. However, Fakhar Zaman does not look pleased one bit as he walks back to the dugout on 15 (9). Pakistan are 21/1.

Has that carried? Sanju Samson seems very confident and there seemed to be a definite edge as well. The on-field umpires have a chat and they send it upstairs. There seems to be a clear deflection on the replay but it is very close on the catch call. The third umpire checks the zoomed replay and checks a few different angles as well and one angle clearly confirms that the ball did carry. OUT comes up on the big screen.

Hardik Pandya to Fakhar Zaman, FOUR! That's smartly played! Back of a length, on top of off. Fakhar Zaman creates room for himself by backing away and smashes it through the cover and point gap for a cracking boundary! Fakhar is 15 off just 8 balls.

Hardik Pandya to Fakhar Zaman, Seams away from a fuller length, on off. Fakhar Zaman presses forward and blocks it to the right of the bowler.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, Quick tap and run! Good running! Back of a length, angling outside off. Fakhar Zaman taps it off the back foot to cover-point and calls Farhan through for a quick single. This has been a really positive start for Pakistan! 11 off Bumrah's first over.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, Still a slip in place and Bumrah comes around the stumps. Length ball, just outside off. Fakhar Zaman bunts it down the pitch.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, FOUR! SMASHED! A half volley, outside off. Fakhar Zaman gets down the track in a flash and plunders it through the left of mid off for a cracking boundary. 10 off Bumrah's first four balls.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, FOUR! Into the gap and races away! Full in length, curving back in a touch. Fakhar Zaman flicks it along the ground, towards deep backward square leg and beats Shivam Dube to his right for a boundary.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, Full delivery, on off, at 139.1 kph. Fakhar Zaman blocks it straight back at the bowler.

Jasprit Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman, Fourth double! Bumrah starts with a full toss, around off. Fakhar Zaman dances down the track and whacks it through cover and point for a couple of runs. Fakhar Zaman making intentions very clear from the first ball.

Jasprit Bumrah to share the new ball with Hardik Pandya.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, This one drifts into the pads, on a good length. Sahibzada Farhan is rushed into the shot, but flicks it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple more. Geez, that was a spicy first over. 6 off it.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, On a back of a length, shaping away a bit from off. Sahibzada Farhan lets the ball arrive and punches it to the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, IN THE AIR... Lands safe! Full again, on the stumps. Sahibzada Farhan mistimes off the toe end, but manages to clear mid on for a couple of runs as the ball just plugs in the outfield.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, IN THE AIR... DROPPED! Very casual from Abhishek Sharma at deep third and an early lifeline for Sahibzada Farhan! Fuller and around off, swinging away from the batter. Sahibzada Farhan does not move his feet at all and tries to hit it across the line, but ends up getting a leading edge towards the right of deep third. Abhishek Sharma seemingly doesn't judge the ball's trajectory and reacts late to a pretty straightforward chance. Dives forward, but the ball pops in and out. Two taken.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, Similar line and length, shaping away from off. Sahibzada Farhan waits for it and knocks it off the back foot to mid off.

Uh, oh! Something's bothering Sahibzada Farhan. We can see that his right hand is heavily taped up and after playing that first ball, he is finding it difficult to grip his bat. The physio is out and we can see the tapes coming off, allowing Farhan to have more mobility but if that hand is already injured, then we might see Farhan feel a bit more pain with no taping. Anyway, let's get back to the action.

Hardik Pandya to Sahibzada Farhan, Hardik is on the money straightaway! A hint of outswing, from a good length, outside off. Sahibzada Farhan hangs back and punches it late to backward point. That hit high on the bat due to some bounce.

Done and dusted with the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the contest underway! The Indian team can be seen in a huddle and it is Jasprit Bumrah who is sharing a few final words of wisdom and motivating his teammates. The umpires have taken their places on the field and the duo of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman walk out to open the batting for Pakistan, which means Saim Ayub has been dropped down the order. Hardik Pandya has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Just one slip in place to begin with, let's play...

Not quite a jam-packed crowd that one would expect for an India-Pakistan contest but it is building up closer and closer to full capacity inside the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With that said, out come the two sets of players and they line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Pakistan first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar and Ravi Shastri are pitchside with their analysis. Sanjay says that the decision at the toss has a lot to do with the track record. Shares that it is a dry pitch and reckons that batting later on will become a bit easier even if the dew doesn't come. Ravi details that ball grips in Dubai and the pitch is expected to assist the spinners a lot. Stresses that the batters will have to give themselves some time to settle in, and it will eventually get a bit easier.

India (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (In for Arshdeep Singh), and Varun Chakaravarthy (In for Harshit Rana).

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (C), Hussain Talat (In for Khushdil Shah), Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf (In for Hasan Nawaz), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed

The captain of Pakistan, Salman Agha, says they would have bowled first as well. Adds that it is a new game and the mood in the dressing room is pretty normal. Says they just want to play a good brand of cricket. Reckons that the pitch is expected to be a bit on the slower side. Stresses that they look forward to starting well with both bat and ball. In the end, he informs that Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah make way for Hussain Talat and Faheem Ashraf.

India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, says that they saw a lot of dew last night as well. Mentions that it is just another game for them and they want to enjoy it. Reckons that the Abu Dhabi wicket was different from this one, so this will be a new challenge and reiterates that they are this match as a normal game. Informs that Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy are back as Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh drop back out of the Playing XI.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of India and Suryakumar Yadav elects to BOWL first.

In Dubai, one clear trend has stood out in this Asia Cup. The team that controls the Powerplay in the first innings usually ends up with the upper hand. Across the six games so far, including the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Super 4 clash, the average first inning Powerplay score has been just 44. Only once has a side crossed fifty, and that came in the previous game. Chasing has not been any easier either. Apart from India, no team has gone at ten runs per over or more in the field restrictions, while India have managed to do it twice. Interestingly, Pakistan have batted first in all three of their league games, while India tried both approaches at least once. India convincingly beat Pakistan at the same venue, exactly a week ago, but will that dominance sustain? We shall find out soon. Toss and team sheets will be up very shortly.

Pakistan’s story, though, has been a bit of a grind. They've found it tough to match the tempo of modern T20 cricket. Across three games in the league stage, their Powerplay returns have been undercooked, averaging 42 and consistently losing early wickets. The most they've managed for the first wicket? Four runs. That lack of a platform has left the middle order exposed and, frankly, under-delivering. The one area that’s held its own is the bowling - Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have done a decent job, and with India’s known vulnerability against left-arm pace, Shaheen’s first couple of overs could set the tone. Oddly enough, while Saim Ayub's bat has gone cold with three ducks, he’s quietly chipped in with the ball, adding value through his 'part-time' spin.

India storm into the knockouts with their sails full and spirits high, having bossed the group stage without a single blemish. They did face an unexpected challenge against Oman a few matches ago, where the bowling came under the microscope, but aside from that, it’s been smooth sailing. Abhishek Sharma has been electric at the top, proving a perfect launchpad for the others, and the middle order has had enough time out in the middle to settle into rhythm. Bowling-wise, India tested their bench strength by bringing in Arshdeep and Harshit, but one of them is likely to sit out to make way for Jasprit Bumrah.

Over the years, these two teams have progressed at enormously different trajectories. World Champions in the inaugural T20 World Cup, and as defending champions now, India carry two global titles and eight Asia Cups in their cabinet. Pakistan’s story is different - just two Asia Cup trophies from sixteen attempts, with their last triumph all the way back in 2012. So while the fans see this as the fiercest battle between two subcontinental giants, the numbers of recent times suggest a rivalry that has leaned heavily one way and more or less has been brittled.

Rivalries make any sport interesting and binge-watch worthy and one of the most talked-about and awaited clashes is back again. It is India vs Pakistan in the second match of the Super 4 in the Asia Cup 2025. We are here at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium and let’s hope this one serves up to its billing. On that note, a literally very warm welcome to everyone joining us. Glad to have you all.

... MATCH DAY ...

We are down to game number two of the Super Four clash, where arch-rivals India and Pakistan lock horns at the Dubai International Stadium. This will be round two of the heavyweight bout, but the first round was a mismatch, as the Men in Blue proved too hot to handle for those in green. There has been plenty of drama ever since that night with the handshake saga, and it does not look like we have seen the last of it. Pakistan, in particular, will need to put all of that behind them before stepping onto the field. Salman Agha and Co. began their campaign with a thumping win over Oman but have since faced tougher challenges. A crushing defeat against India was followed by a hard-fought win over the UAE, where a place in the Super Four was on the line. Since Mike Hesson took over as the head coach, much of the talk has been about playing an aggressive brand of cricket. The slow Dubai surfaces have not allowed Pakistan to express that style, and they have also been guilty of playing too many dot balls, leaving much to be desired in their strike rotation. For two consecutive games, Shaheen Afridi’s late hitting has added respectability to their totals. While Saim Ayub has made his presence felt with the ball, he is yet to open his account with the bat, falling for three ducks in as many innings. Apart from Ayub, the Men in Green will want Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, and Salman Agha to step up against the might of the Indian bowling attack. In their games against Oman and India, Pakistan opted for just one frontline pacer in Shaheen Afridi alongside three specialist spinners, with support from Saim Ayub and Salman Agha. Against the UAE, however, they turned to the raw pace of Haris Rauf, with Sufiyan Muqeem making way. It will be interesting to see which combination they choose this time to contain a strong Indian batting line-up. As far as India are concerned, they have had a flawless run so far. After breezing past the UAE and Pakistan, Suryakumar Yadav's men faced a spirited Omani side that refused to back down. With their spot in the Super Four already secured, India approached the game as an opportunity to give valuable batting time to players who hadn’t featured much. Consequently, Suryakumar chose not to come out to bat and promoted others up the order. The signs of rust were particularly evident in the batting department. Sanju Samson gained valuable time in the middle, while Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya had short stays at the crease and would have liked to spend longer. Without Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy, India experimented with as many as eight bowling options, true to the way they approached the dead rubber. Barring the Oman game, India have generally front-loaded Jasprit Bumrah’s overs in the Powerplay. The spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy then take over to inflict the damage in the middle phase. There are doubts over Axar Patel’s participation in this clash after he accidentally banged his head onto the turf while going for a catch against Oman. That could force India to move away from their three-pronged spin attack. Mind you, the Oman game was played in Abu Dhabi, while the rest of India’s upcoming matches will be in Dubai. Although there is not much difference between the two surfaces, it will take time for the Indian batters who haven’t had much time at the crease to adjust. That could become a vulnerability if the top order is dismissed early, and Pakistan will be eager to exploit it. The last time Pakistan defeated India in any format was back in September 2022 in Dubai during the previous edition of the T20 Asia Cup. Since then, the Men in Blue have won all six completed meetings. Can Pakistan finally break the streak this time around, or will India extend their dominance? We shall find out.