IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek Sharma's Dubai Storm Sinks Pakistan in High-Stakes Clash

Team India beat Pakistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash, chasing 172 in Dubai. Abhishek Sharma starred with 74 off 39, supported by Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma in the run chase, steering India to a convincing victory.

Team India opener Abhishek Sharma lit up the Dubai International Stadium with his explosive performance as the Men in Blue clinched a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 clash on Sunday, September 21. This was the second face-off between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the first since the handshake controversy in the group stage clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. 

With a 172-run target, Team India chased it down in 18.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma not only led the defending champions' run chase but also headlined with his phenomenal performance of 74 off 39 balls at an impressive strike rate of 189.74. India vice-captain Shubman Gill (47) and Tilak Varma (30*) contributed significantly to the run chase as the Men in Blue wrapped up the innings before the final over. 

Earlier, Shivam Dube led India's bowling attack with figures of 2/33 at an economy rate of 8.20 in four overs to restrict Pakistan to 171/5, despite a fifty from Sahibzada Farhan (58) and a late blitz by Faheem Ashraf (20* off 8 balls) in the lower order of Pakistan's batting line-up. Hardik Pandya (1/29) and Varun Chakravarthy (1/31) picked a wicket each.

Indian batters show mercy to Pakistan's bowling attack

Indian batters, especially Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma, dominated Pakistan’s bowlers with fearless stroke play and kept the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace throughout the chase. Chasing a 172-run target, Abhishek started off with a six on the first ball off Shaheen Afridi in the opening over.

Abhishek and Gill adopted an aggressive approach from the start of the run chase to put pressure on Pakistan’s pace attack and gain momentum early in the chase. The pair formed a commanding 105-run stand for the opening wicket before Shubman Gill’s stay at the crease ended by Faheem Ashraf for 47. Thereafter, Abhishek was joined by Suryakumar, who was dismissed for duck.

After the Indian skipper’s dismissal, Abhishek Sharma anchored the team’s innings and brought up his first fifty of the Asia Cup 2025 in just 24 balls. He carried on his innings and played a brilliant knock of 74 off 39 balls before his dismissal at 123/3. Sanju Samson joined Tilak Varma at the crease. The pair was hoping for a match-winning partnership before Samson was dismissed for 13 at 148/4, and India needed 24 off 20 balls to win the match.

Tilak was as aggressive as Abhishek Sharma, as he smashed two fours and as many sixes and batted at a strike rate of 157.89. He formed an unbeaten 26-run stand for the fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya (7* off 7 balls) and hit a winning four to take the team past the finishing line.

With this victory, India continue their dominant run in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 as the Men in Blue are on a four-match winning streak and they are the only team yet to lose a match in the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav hails India’s character against Pakistan

Speaking at the post-match presentation, India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was satisfied with his team’s overall performance, hailing the team’s show of character against Pakistan. He lauded Shivam Dube’s impactful bowling and the impressive opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, calling it an ‘ice and fire’ combination.

“The way the boys are stepping up in every game, it's making my job very easy. The boys showed a lot of character. They were calm after the first 10 overs (of India's bowling innings). After drinks, I told them the game starts now,” Suryakumar said.

“That's fine, he's not a robot, he will have a bad day someday (talking about Bumrah). Dube bailed us out of the situation. They complement each other really well (Abhishek and Gill). It's like a fire and ice combination,” he added.

Team India will play their second Super 4 clash against Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 24, at the Dubai International Stadium.