India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Highlights: ‘Are umpire se toh mil le’- Gautam Gambhir’s remark to Team India players reignites handshake debate

Jailed former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan mocked Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after India’s comfortable wins in the ongoing Asia Cup. His sister Aleema Khan told reporters that Imran suggested the only way Pakistan could win against India was if Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and PCB Chairman Naqvi opened the batting, with umpires being former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. The third umpire, he said, should be Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar. Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup victory, blamed Naqvi for “incompetence” and “nepotism” in cricket administration.

Flamboyant opener Abhishek Sharma revealed the story behind his iconic ‘L’ celebration after his 74 off 39 guided India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super Fours clash at Dubai. During his blitzkrieg, Suryakumar Yadav reminded him to push for singles, evoking memories of his father, Raj Kumar Sharma. “Today I remembered my dad because of the way you were standing… he used to do the same,” Abhishek said. He added the gesture was “love, a celebration for those who support the Indian team. This is for India.”

MP Sanjay Raut expressed surprise over PM Modi’s Sunday address being scheduled at 5 pm instead of the usual 8 pm, suggesting it allowed BJP workers to watch the India-Pakistan match uninterrupted.

In his address, PM Modi urged citizens to prioritise Swadeshi and buy Made-in-India products as new GST reforms came into effect from September 22. Calling it a “Bachat Utsav”, he said combined GST and income tax exemptions will save over Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Modi emphasised self-reliance, stating MSMEs and small industries will benefit from lower GST rates and simplified procedures.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted his team struggled in all aspects against India, with batting particularly challenging after the first 10 overs. “The batting was a lot better today, and that’s a positive. The way our start was, we could have scored 15 more. But when the ball goes soft after 10 overs, it’s not as easy to bat,” he said after the six-wicket defeat.

Looking Ahead to Sri Lanka Clash

Salman noted his bowlers struggled against India’s flying start from Abhishek Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (47). “Bowling or batting, we look to play the perfect game. We didn’t field well or start well with the ball. We have to forget this game because we have one the day after tomorrow,” he added.

Abhishek Sharma’s breathtaking 74 off 39 balls against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super 4s has left cricketing greats stunned. Ravichandran Ashwin hailed him as India’s future “best white-ball batter,” comparing his potential to Yuvraj Singh’s legacy. The off-spinner was especially impressed with Abhishek’s finesse, highlighting a Dhoni-style helicopter shot that stood out among his six fours and five sixes.

Pietersen calls him ‘NEXT LEVEL’

Kevin Pietersen lauded Abhishek’s fearless style, saying his batting would bring joy to millions worldwide. With 173 runs in four innings, the 23-year-old is the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

On the field, India dominated the chase against Pakistan from the start. A solid opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Abhishek set the tone for India’s six-wicket victory. The match was marked by heightened tensions, with verbal exchanges reported between India’s openers and Pakistani bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Although Pakistan took a few wickets after the drinks break, India maintained control throughout the chase, ensuring a comfortable win

A social media stir erupted following India’s six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super 4s in Dubai on Sunday. The controversy began when Haris Rauf’s wife shared an Instagram story showing her husband flashing a “6-0” hand gesture, captioned, “Lost the match but won the battle.”

The gesture sparked debate because “6-0” has political and military connotations in Pakistan, referencing claims that their forces shot down six Indian Rafael fighter jets after the Pahalgam attack during Operation Sindoor. The post quickly drew attention and criticism online.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma’s side approached their Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Pakistan with a strong desire to assert dominance. Following the off-field drama in the group-stage match, including the handshake controversy and the PCB’s protest to the match referee, Gavaskar said India faced pressure not just to win, but to make a statement.

Speaking to India Today after India secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai, Gavaskar noted that the team channelled that pressure into their performance. “I think, after all the halla-bullu that happened after the last game, the pressure was definitely on the Indians. Maybe it showed on the field, as they dropped relatively simple catches. Of course, there were some difficult ones, but the standard we see today makes even tough chances look simple,” he said.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latiff slammed the team’s middle-order batting following their heavy loss to India in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash on September 21. While openers Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan gave a promising start, racing to 91 for 1 with a 72-run second-wicket partnership, their efforts were overshadowed by India’s explosive opening stand of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma.

Pakistan’s innings collapsed in the middle overs, beginning with the controversial dismissal of Fakhar Zaman, who was chosen to open ahead of Saim Ayub.

Shivam Dube broke the momentum by dismissing Ayub and Farhan, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy stifled the rest of the batting lineup. Speaking to Times of India, Latiff criticised the middle order for wasting crucial time and failing to play with aggression.

Indian fans began chanting “Kohli-Kohli” at Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf while he was fielding near their section, reminding many of Virat Kohli’s famous two sixes off Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Melbourne.

Rauf, however, did not ignore the taunts. Instead, he responded with a fighter jet gesture, which many linked to recent military tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. As the chants grew louder, Rauf even encouraged the crowd, signaling with his hand for them to raise their voices further.

Shubman Gill’s Instagram post after India’s thrilling Super 4 victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has gone viral, making it clear that performance matters more than talk.

Following the win, Gill shared a short but impactful message on social media: “Game speaks, not words.” His post came after a heated contest that saw tense moments on the field, including an exchange between Haris Rauf and Abhishek Sharma, which forced umpires to step in.

Gill, who had struggled in the early stages of the tournament, found his rhythm in this game. He took on both pacers and spinners with confidence, and his elegant lofted drive over extra cover off Shaheen Afridi stood out as one of the finest shots of the match.

Eight days after their first loss to India in the league stage, Pakistan faced a similar outcome in their latest match. Since the September 14 game, former Pakistan cricketers and experts have openly expressed concern over the growing skill gap between the two teams. Wasim Akram shared his honest thoughts following the defeat of the ‘Men in Green.’

On a post-match show, Akram said, “I am going to speak my heart out. It is tough to watch Pakistan. I understand as an ex-player winning and losing is part of the game. But again, India has outplayed Pakistan in every department over the last four or five years.”

Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match for his 74 off 39 balls, featuring six fours and five sixes. Reflecting on his high strike rate, he said, “Today it was very simple. The way they were coming at us, I didn’t like it at all, and this was the only way I could give medicine to them.” He also shared his long-standing connection with Shubman Gill, noting that he had been waiting for a partnership like this since their school days. Abhishek emphasized the importance of playing his natural aggressive game, adding that the team’s support allows him to take calculated risks for the benefit of India.

Pakistan’s bowlers gave it their all, with Haris Rauf standing out. The intensity peaked when he and Abhishek came face to face, even as neither team was looking for a confrontation. There were a few other verbal exchanges between Shaheen Afridi and Shubman Gill, but nothing crossed the line, as both sides competed fiercely.

The Indians shared plenty of love in the dugout as they delivered a clinical performance. From the bowlers tightening the screws in the final 10 overs, with Shivam Dube making a significant impact, to the openers attacking the target fearlessly, India showed top-class cricket. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill put the team firmly in control with a 105-run opening stand off just 59 balls while chasing 171, rendering the brief middle-order hiccup — where Sanju Samson’s experiment didn’t quite click — irrelevant in the end.

Shaheen Shah Afridi delivers a full toss drifting down leg, and Tilak Varma puts the finishing touch with a clean strike to the backward square leg boundary. A fitting end to the chase, as the Indian players celebrate and head off the field, while the Pakistan squad gathers for handshakes.

A full toss outside off, Hardik carves it behind point for a single. India inch closer, now needing just 8 runs off 9 balls.

India continue to stay ahead in the chase, ending the 18th over at 163/4, with just 9 runs required from 12 balls. Tilak Varma (20 off 17, 1 four, 1 six) and Hardik Pandya (6 off 4, 1 four) are holding firm, while Pakistan’s bowlers face the pressure at the death.

Tilak Varma smashes a massive six off Faheem Ashraf in the 18th over, taking India to 159/4. Hardik Pandya remains at the other end with 4 runs off 2 balls, while Pakistan tries to tighten the screws with Rauf and Abrar at the death.

India added 8 runs in the 17th over but lost a crucial wicket, bringing the score to 153/4. Hardik Pandya contributed 4 off 2 balls with a boundary, while Tilak Varma steadied the innings with 12 off 13. Haris Rauf claimed his second wicket, keeping Pakistan in contention.

After the fall of Samson, Hardik Pandya responds immediately with a smooth boundary off Haris Rauf in the 16.5th over. The shot injects some momentum back into India’s chase, reducing the pressure as they now need 23 runs from 22 balls with 4 wickets in hand.

Haris Rauf strikes in the 16th over, removing Sanju Samson for 13 off 17 balls. The bowled delivery shakes up India’s chase, leaving Tilak Varma to anchor the innings. India now stand at 145/4, with 27 runs needed from 23 balls.

India managed just five runs in the 16th over, moving to 145/3. Sanju Samson is on 13 off 16 balls with a boundary, while Tilak Varma has 9 off 10. Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi kept things tight with disciplined bowling. With 27 needed from 24 balls, the chase remains tense.

Sanju Samson tapped Abrar Ahmed’s delivery to the left of long-off and the batsmen ran two, moving India to 141/3 in the 15.3rd over. With 31 needed from 30 balls, every run counts in this tense chase.

Tilak Varma delivered a perfect straight drive for four off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 14.4th over, taking India to 137/3. The boundary injects crucial momentum into the chase with 35 runs needed from 32 balls.

Sanju Samson added a single off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 14th over, taking India to 133/3. The run helped maintain the momentum in a challenging chase, with India still needing 39 runs from 35 balls.

India added six runs in the 14th over to reach 132/3, with Sanju Samson contributing 8 off 8 balls and Tilak Varma on 2. Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed each bowled tight spells, conceding 3 runs apiece, but India maintained a steady run rate as they inched closer to the target.

Sanju Samson got off the mark in style, driving Faheem Ashraf for a classy four through the off-side. The boundary helps India maintain momentum despite the earlier loss of Abhishek Sharma, keeping the required run rate manageable.

India added 9 runs in the 13th over but lost a crucial wicket as Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings ended. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson started cautiously, scoring 2 runs each off the over. Abrar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf shared the bowling, keeping the pressure on the Indian batsmen with tight lines and lengths.

Abhishek Sharma’s fiery innings comes to an end at the hands of Abrar Ahmed. The left-arm spinner’s googly spun away from Sharma, who tried to shovel it over long-on. Haris Rauf sprinted in from the boundary to take a remarkable catch, flinging the ball away in visible frustration. Sharma departs after a sensational knock that kept India ahead in the chase.

Abhishek Sharma continues his destructive innings, adding 11 runs in the 12th over to take India to 117 for 2. Tilak Varma remains watchful at the other end, while Sharma’s combination of fours and sixes keeps the required run rate comfortably under control.