DUBAI: India once again outplayed Pakistan, sealing a 6-wicket win in the Asia Cup T20 Super Four at Dubai International Stadium. The result follows their earlier 7-wicket victory in the group stage.
Pakistan, put in to bat after India won the toss, managed 171 for 5. Fakhar Zaman fell early for 15 in a dismissal widely debated online. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 58 off 45, supported by Saim Ayub (21), Hussain Talat (10) and Mohammad Nawaz (21). Captain Salman Ali Agha added 17, while Faheem Ashraf struck an unbeaten 20 off 8 balls to lift the total.
India’s chase was defined by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39, including 5 sixes. Shubman Gill made 47 before falling to Faheem Ashraf, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for a duck by Haris Rauf. Sanju Samson scored 13, with Tilak Varma (30*) and Hardik Pandya (7*) finishing the job in the 19th over.
Pakistan introduced Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat, while India recalled Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy. The match again carried political overtones, with captains avoiding a post-toss handshake and India’s leader making remarks that fueled tensions.
Pakistan, now beaten twice by India in the competition, face mounting pressure, while India strengthened their position as tournament favorites.
