India registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their league encounter of the Asia Cup 2025 held in Dubai on Sunday. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan were restricted to 127 for 9 in 20 overs as Indian bowlers put on a clinical display. Hardik Pandya struck off the very first ball to dismiss opener Saim Ayub, while Mohammad Haris (3) soon followed, caught by Pandya off Jasprit Bumrah. Despite brief resistance from Sahibzada Farhan (33) and Fakhar Zaman (17), Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with only a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi—who hit four sixes—lifting them to a modest total.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel picked up two each. Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with one wicket apiece. Chasing 128, India overcame early hiccups after losing openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma cheaply. From 10 for 2, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma steadied the innings with a composed yet aggressive partnership that kept India ahead of the required rate.
Varma contributed 31 before falling to Ayub, after which Shivam Dube joined Suryakumar at the crease. With 36 needed off 36 balls, Suryakumar switched gears, accelerating the scoring and eventually finishing the chase in style with a towering six. India reached the target in 15 overs with seven wickets to spare, sealing a dominant win over Pakistan and avenging their earlier defeat in Pahalgam.