India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Highlights 21 September: The Dubai International Cricket Stadium once again became the epicenter of the cricketing world as India locked horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in a highly anticipated Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025. This wasn’t just a cricket match; it was a spectacle of passion, pride, and pressure. With a spot in the final on the line, both teams came out with all guns blazing, but it was Team India who delivered a performance for the ages.
From the first ball to the final boundary, this match was filled with drama, brilliant performances, and intense moments that will be talked about for years to come. If you missed the action, or simply want to relive the best bits, here are the detailed India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 highlights.
The Buildup: Pre-Match Tension and No Handshakes
The tension was palpable even before the first ball was bowled. The controversy surrounding the no-handshake policy between Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistani counterpart Salman Agha from their previous encounter continued.
The captains once again opted to not shake hands at the toss, a clear sign of the heightened political and sporting rivalry. India won the toss and elected to field, a decision that proved to be strategic, as they looked to exploit the dewy conditions later in the evening.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Story of Two Halves
Pakistan’s innings began with a promising start, with their openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman looking to set a strong foundation. However, the Indian bowlers, led by the impressive Shivam Dube, applied pressure. Dube struck first, getting rid of Zaman.
- Sahibzada Farhan’s Gritty Half-Century: The star of Pakistan’s batting was undoubtedly Sahibzada Farhan. Despite a few dropped catches by the Indian fielders (including two by Abhishek Sharma), Farhan held his nerve and played a brilliant knock. He scored a gritty 58 off 45 balls, a knock that included five fours and three sixes. His partnership with Saim Ayub for the second wicket was crucial, adding 72 runs and putting Pakistan in a strong position at the halfway mark.
- Indian Bowlers’ Comeback: Just when it seemed Pakistan was set for a massive total, India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, tightened the screws. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy controlled the middle overs, slowing down the scoring rate and picking up crucial wickets. “The way the boys were calm after the first 10 overs was a testament to their character,” said captain Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match presentation, highlighting the team’s resilience. The momentum shifted dramatically, and Pakistan, who were at one point cruising, struggled to find the boundaries.
- The Final Flourish: Despite the middle-order wobble, a late surge from the lower order helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 171/5. Cameos from Salman Agha and Faheem Ashraf, who smashed a quick 20 off just 8 balls, provided a much-needed boost in the final overs, giving their bowlers a decent total to defend.
Also Read: India Dominates: Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2025 T20 Match Highlights
India’s Chase: The Abhishek Sharma Show
Chasing 172, India’s response was nothing short of breathtaking. The Indian openers, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill came out with a clear and aggressive intent, silencing the partisan crowd and putting immense pressure on the Pakistani bowlers from the get-go.
- A Blistering Start: The tone was set on the very first ball of the chase. Facing the formidable Shaheen Afridi, Abhishek Sharma launched a stunning six, a statement of India’s intent. The fireworks didn’t stop there. The duo of Sharma and Gill hammered the Pakistan pacers, especially during the Powerplay. They raced to 100 runs in just 8.4 overs, an incredible display of fearless T20 batting.
- Abhishek’s Sensational Knock: Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer of the match. He played a scintillating knock of 74 runs off just 39 balls, which included six fours and five massive sixes. His innings was a masterclass in clean striking and calculated aggression, rightly earning him the Player of the Match award. His partnership with Shubman Gill, who played a fantastic supporting role with a well-made 47 off 28 balls, completely took the game away from Pakistan.
- The Mid-Innings Wobble and Composure: After the drinks break, Pakistan managed to pull things back with quick wickets, including the dismissal of both openers and captain Suryakumar Yadav for a duck. The pressure was on, but the cool heads of Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya ensured there was no further collapse. They calmly rotated the strike and capitalized on loose deliveries, guiding India closer to victory.
Key Moments of the Match
- Abhishek’s First-Ball Six: The moment that set the tone for the entire chase and will be remembered as one of the best India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 highlights.
- Fiery Verbal Exchanges: The on-field intensity was high, with heated words exchanged between the Indian openers and Pakistani pacers like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. These moments added to the drama and passion of the rivalry.
- Haris Rauf’s Bowling: Despite the onslaught, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 26. His dismissals of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson provided a flicker of hope for Pakistan.
- Tilak Varma’s Finishes: Tilak Varma, with an unbeaten 30 off 19 balls, showed remarkable composure to steer India home with a powerful six, sealing the six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
Analysis & What It Means for Asia Cup 2025
This victory, a comfortable six-wicket win, not only solidifies India’s position at the top of the Super Four table but also marks their seventh consecutive win against Pakistan across formats, a remarkable statistic. The performance highlighted India’s formidable batting depth and their ability to chase down high totals with ease.
While there were some concerns in the fielding department, the batting display overshadowed any deficiencies. For Pakistan, the defeat means they must now win their remaining matches to stand a chance of making the final.
India’s Dominance Continues
In a match that lived up to its billing, India once again proved their mettle by delivering a dominant performance against their fierce rivals. The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 highlights were a showcase of aggressive batting, strategic bowling, and an unyielding spirit. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings will be etched in the memory of every fan.
