The India vs Pakistan rivalry is back in focus as the two cricketing giants clashed in the 6th T20 of Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India chased down 128 comfortably, winning by 7 wickets with 25 balls to spare. Key player battles had a major say in this result, and here’s an updated look at how each of these matchups played out.
1. Shubman Gill vs Shaheen Afridi – The Opening Duel
Gill started positively but fell early for 10(7), caught by Mohammad Haris off Saim Ayub. Importantly, Shaheen Afridi went wicketless, conceding 23 runs in 2 overs. Gill’s improved SR of 142.86 shows he is handling pace better, but Pakistan’s breakthrough came from Ayub, not Shaheen.
| Year | Runs | Balls | Outs | SR | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29 | 28 | 2 | 103.6 | 14.5 |
| 2025 | 43 | 32 | 1 | 134.3 | 43.0 |
| Total | 72 | 60 | 3 | 120.0 | 24.0 |
Key Insight:
Gill’s dismissal didn’t hurt India as Abhishek Sharma dominated upfront. Pakistan will worry that their strike bowler Shaheen failed to make an early impact.
2. Jasprit Bumrah vs Saim Ayub – Powerplay Thriller
Bumrah kept things tight but went wicketless. Saim Ayub was dismissed for 0(1) by Hardik Pandya in the very first over. This battle was a short one – India’s new-ball bowlers combined to put Pakistan on the back foot immediately.
- Bumrah’s control in the first over built pressure, allowing Hardik to strike.
- Pakistan’s powerplay collapsed to 31/3, derailing their plans.
3. Hardik Pandya vs Mohammad Nawaz – Middle Overs Clash
Hardik Pandya delivered with the ball, taking a crucial early wicket (Ayub) and ending with 1/5 in 1 over. Mohammad Nawaz failed to make an impact, conceding 27 runs in 3 overs without taking a wicket.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nawaz | 3.0 | 27 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Hardik Pandya | 1.0 | 5 | 1 | 5.00 |
Impact:
Hardik continues to be India’s most valuable all-rounder, now just 16 runs away from completing 100+ runs & 10 wickets in Asia Cup T20 history.
4. Mohammad Haris vs Jasprit Bumrah – Fearless vs Disciplined
Haris made 3(4) before being dismissed later, unable to replicate his Oman heroics. Bumrah kept him quiet with sharp yorkers and off-pace deliveries, contributing to Pakistan’s below-par score of 127/9.
5. Kuldeep Yadav vs Fakhar Zaman – Spin vs Attack
Kuldeep was economical and applied pressure. Fakhar struggled to score freely and fell trying to accelerate, which left Pakistan’s middle order exposed.
6. Hasan Nawaz vs India’s Spin Trio
Hasan Nawaz couldn’t convert his start and was eventually dismissed against spin. India’s trio of Axar, Kuldeep, and Varun kept Pakistan to a sub-par total with tight lines.
Other Key Players to Watch
- Suryakumar Yadav (India): Played a captain’s knock of 47*(37), anchoring the chase and ensuring a calm finish.
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan): Despite failure with the bat, he was Pakistan’s best bowler with 3/35 in 4 overs, including Gill, Abhishek, and Tilak Varma.
Read more: India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Head-to-Head
Conclusion
The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match highlighted how key battles decided the game early. India’s bowlers struck in the powerplay, Suryakumar anchored the chase, and Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 31(13) gave India the momentum they needed. Pakistan will need Shaheen to step up in the next clash, as relying solely on Saim Ayub’s breakthroughs won’t be enough against a strong Indian batting lineup.
