(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Asia Cup 2025: India Outplays Pakistan in Dubai Clash
Despite calls in India to boycott the fixture, a large number of Indian fans turned up for the much-anticipated Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai. While the stadium wasn’t at full capacity, the atmosphere remained lively, with Indian supporters outnumbering their rivals.
Match Summary
Pakistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat, struggled from the start. Saim Ayub was dismissed off the first legitimate ball of the innings, and by the halfway stage the team was scoring under five runs an over. The collapse continued, with half the side back in the pavilion for just 64 runs. Eventually, Pakistan set a below-par total which India chased down with ease, displaying all-round superiority.
Even two early breakthroughs by Ayub failed to dent India’s confidence. Their batsmen rotated strike smartly, struck boundaries at regular intervals, and comfortably crossed the target.
Highlights for Pakistan
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Sahibzada Farhan provided a rare moment of joy by hitting Jasprit Bumrah for six — the first Pakistani batsman ever to clear the ropes off Bumrah after facing 399 balls.
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Shaheen Afridi, batting lower down, thrilled the crowd with a flurry of sixes, showing glimpses of his aggressive potential.
Concerns for Pakistan
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Pakistan’s batting once again exposed its lack of depth and experience, with dot balls piling up at crucial stages.
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The team continues to struggle against quality spin, with Kuldeep Yadav and India’s slower bowlers tightening the screws effectively.
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Captain Salman Ali Agha and other senior batsmen failed to adjust to conditions, while younger players looked underprepared for international pressure.
Big Picture
This performance highlighted long-standing structural issues in Pakistan cricket, especially in developing batsmen capable of handling international-class bowling. Heroics in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have not translated into consistent performances at the highest level.
While Pakistan is still alive in the tournament, this display raised doubts about their chances of lifting the Asia Cup. On the other hand, India’s composed chase underscored their depth and readiness, even with newer faces in their lineup.
Beyond the result, the match was notable for the resumption of India-Pakistan cricketing ties in a packed stadium — a reminder that, despite political tensions, the game still has the power to bring fans together.
