By | Arvind Jadhav
Dubai: In a gripping Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash at Dubai yesterday, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets, chasing down 128 runs in just 15.5 overs. Pakistan managed 127/9 in their 20 overs, thanks to disciplined Indian bowling.
⭕ Bowling Brilliance
The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18) tore through Pakistan’s middle order, never allowing momentum to build. “Kuldeep’s variations completely outfoxed the batters. He bowled like a match-winner today,” said former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh during post-match analysis.
⭕ Pakistan’s Struggle
Opener Sahibzada Farhan fought hard with 40 off 44 balls, and Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo of 33 not out gave some respectability to the scorecard. However, cricket expert Ramiz Raja commented, “Pakistan’s batting lacked intent. Against a strong Indian attack, you need partnerships—sadly they never came.”
⭕ Captain Cool Surya
India’s chase was powered by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who anchored the innings with 47 not out off 37 balls. He was ably supported by Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13) and Tilak Varma (31 off 31). Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Surya’s leadership, stating, “He showed maturity beyond T20 aggression. Calm, calculated and team-first cricket—that’s what leadership is.”
⭕ Emotional Tribute
After the match, captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to the victims of the recent Pahalgam tragedy. He said, “This win is not just for the team, it is for the people who lost their lives in Pahalgam. Our prayers are with their families. We carry them in our hearts.” The gesture struck a chord with fans, many of whom flooded social media with messages of respect and solidarity.
⭕ Fans & Social Media Buzz
The result set off celebrations across India, with fans sharing videos of fireworks, street processions, and trending hashtags like #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2025 #TeamIndia. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar summed it up perfectly on TV: “This wasn’t just a win, this was a statement. India are peaking at the right time.”
With the victory, India secured pole position in Group A and strengthened their march towards the Super 4 stage.
