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

A total of 171 looks competitive, but the nature of the Dubai wicket could make the chase tricky. With variable bounce and no significant turn or seam, the pitch isn’t a full batting-friendly track. Teams chasing here have had mixed success, so India will need to be careful in building partnerships.

Much will depend on how well the Indian top order negotiates the early overs and adapts to the conditions. If they handle the initial challenge, 171 might be chaseable; if not, Pakistan’s bowlers could make life difficult.

The pitch in Dubai is showing some unpredictability, with variable bounce and the occasional delivery sticking on the surface. While there isn’t much turn or seam movement, batsmen will need to pick their length carefully.

With no dew yet, conditions are relatively dry, but the surface may ease slightly as the evening progresses. Alagappan will be in for India’s chase, tasked with anchoring the innings and navigating the tricky wicket.

Pakistan looked in control early, reaching 91 for 1 in the first ten overs, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the charge. However, after Farhan’s fifty, the momentum dipped. Fakhar Zaman, promoted back to open, played attractive strokes but fell cheaply to Hardik Pandya, while Saim Ayub added runs but couldn’t make the most of dropped chances.

The middle order struggled to contain Shivam Dube, who claimed crucial wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah was unusually off-colour. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy bowled economically but managed just one wicket between them, allowing Pakistan to post a competitive but underwhelming 171/5 in their 20 overs

Pakistan ended their 20 overs at 171/5, thanks to a flurry of boundaries and sixes in the final overs. Faheem Ashraf scored a quick 20 off just 8 balls, hitting two sixes and a four, while Salman Agha contributed 17 from 13 deliveries, including a six. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah shared the wickets but couldn’t prevent the late surge. The Men in Blue will now aim to chase down the total, needing a strong start from their top order to keep up with the required run rate in this high-stakes Asia Cup clash.

Faheem Ashraf smashed a massive six off Hardik Pandya in the final ball of the 19th over, sending the ball flying over deep-backward point. The big hit added crucial runs in the death overs, giving Pakistan momentum heading into the final over. Hardik, who had kept things tight for most of the over, was beaten by Faheem’s timing and power. This six helps Pakistan post a more challenging total, setting up an exciting finish in the Asia Cup clash against India.

Faheem Ashraf picked up two runs off Hardik Pandya in the 19th over, helping Pakistan inch closer to a competitive total. The singles, though modest, maintained the pressure on India while allowing the Men in Green to build momentum for the closing stages. Hardik continues to bowl tightly, forcing careful shot selection from Pakistan’s lower middle-order.

Early in the 20th over, Faheem Ashraf stroked a top-edged four off Hardik Pandya, taking Pakistan’s score closer to a competitive total. Despite the mishit, the boundary added crucial momentum for the Men in Green, who are now looking to finish strongly in the final overs. Hardik continues to bowl with intent, aiming to restrict scoring while Pakistan’s lower middle-order takes calculated risks.

The 19th over saw Pakistan add 11 runs while losing a wicket, bringing their total to 157/5. Faheem Ashraf struck a six and contributed 8 runs off just 3 balls, while Salman Agha added 16 from 12 deliveries, including a maximum. Jasprit Bumrah bowled a tidy spell, finishing the over with 4 overs, 45 runs, and no wickets in this spell, while Shivam Dube had earlier claimed 2 key wickets. Despite the loss of a wicket, Pakistan managed to accelerate in the latter stages, setting up a challenging final over as they aim to post a competitive total.

Faheem Ashraf managed to get two runs off the fifth ball of the 18th over, despite a close chance. Shubman Gill misjudged the fielding opportunity, letting the batter off the hook. India’s missed catch proved costly as Faheem continues to rotate the strike and add valuable runs for Pakistan. With wickets falling at the other end, every run becomes crucial, and the dropped chance keeps the Men in Green in the game, maintaining pressure on the chasing side.

Mohammad Nawaz was run out on the third ball of the 19th over, leaving Pakistan in trouble. Yadav’s sharp direct hit caught Nawaz short of the crease after a misjudged single attempt. The delay in the run-out referral added to the tension, but replays confirmed the dismissal. Nawaz had scored 21 off 19 balls, including a four and a six. India’s fielders executed perfectly under pressure, putting Pakistan on the back foot in the final overs and tightening their grip on the match.

Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant first ball in the 19th over, pinning Mohammad Nawaz with a toe-crushing off-stump yorker at 141ks. Nawaz, with an open stance, could only nudge the ball back to the bowler, unable to score off the delivery. India’s premier pacer maintained his discipline under pressure, showing why he’s key in the death overs. With Pakistan still needing quick runs, Bumrah’s accurate deliveries could prove decisive in restricting the total in the final two overs.

Pakistan added 17 runs in the 18th over, powered by brisk knocks from Salman Agha and Mohammad Nawaz. Salman reached 15 off 11 balls, including a six, while Nawaz raced to 20 with a four and a six. Shivam Dube conceded 17 runs in his over, bringing his figures to 4-0-33-2. Kuldeep Yadav maintained a tight line but could only manage 4-0-31-1. Pakistan now stands at 146/4 after 18 overs, setting up a tense finish as they eye a strong total in the final two overs.

Salman Agha played a crisp cut off Shivam Dube’s wide-length delivery, running two to keep the innings moving. With Nawaz and Agha at the crease, Pakistan is steadily building momentum in the death overs. India’s bowlers need to stay disciplined to curb the flow of runs and apply pressure in these crucial moments.

Mohammad Nawaz continued his aggressive approach, guiding Shivam Dube’s third delivery for a four through the field. The shot, timed perfectly, brought up another boundary and kept Pakistan in control. India’s bowlers are under pressure as Nawaz and Salman Agha look to accelerate the scoring in the late overs.

Mohammad Nawaz started over 18 in style, smashing the first ball from Shivam Dube for a towering six over wide long-on. Dube, who has been effective with the ball so far, returned for another over, hoping to check the flow of runs. Nawaz’s aggressive shot immediately lifts Pakistan’s momentum and adds pressure on the Indian bowlers.

At the end of over 17, Pakistan reached 129/4 with Salman Agha scoring 11 off 9 balls, including a six, and Mohammad Nawaz on 7 from 13. Kuldeep Yadav finished the over with figures of 4-0-31-1, while Varun Chakravarthy remained wicketless, conceding 25 runs in his four overs. The Men in Green managed to add 8 runs in the over, keeping the run rate around 7.58.

Salman Agha tried to unleash a slog sweep off Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery but ended up nudging the ball back to the bowler. The cautious shot ensured no runs were added to Pakistan’s total, keeping India’s bowlers in control as they looked to tighten the screws in the middle overs.

Kuldeep Yadav bowled a darting leg-side delivery to Salman Agha, who attempted a fine sweep but missed. India appealed for a possible edge, and the on-field umpire referred it for review. After the third umpire’s check, Salman was adjudged not out, letting Pakistan retain their crucial batsman as the pressure continued to build in the middle overs.

Kuldeep Yadav started the 16th over with a bang, as Salman Agha smashed a six over the boundary. The first boundary in the death overs injected some much-needed momentum into Pakistan’s innings. With India still holding the upper hand, Pakistan looked to capitalize on any loose deliveries to get back into the game.

In the 16th over, Varun Chakravarthy continued his disciplined spell, conceding just two runs. Mohammad Nawaz added 7 off 13 balls, while Salman Agha managed 3 off 3. The pressure built by India’s bowlers, including Shivam Dube’s two-wicket haul so far, kept Pakistan on the back foot and unable to accelerate the innings. With the score at 121/4 after 16 overs, the chasing side needed to find momentum quickly to stay in the contest.

In the 16th over, Varun Chakravarthy continues to keep Pakistan under pressure. Salman Agha manages a single by paddling the ball to short fine leg, while an early lbw appeal is turned down. Varun bowls a probing length around off, forcing Agha to move across early and preventing any free-flowing strokeplay. India’s disciplined bowling is restricting the scoring opportunities and maintaining control over the chase.

After 15 overs, Pakistan finds itself reeling at 119/4. Mohammad Nawaz has managed 6 runs off 8 balls, while Salman Agha contributes 2 off 2. Shivam Dube has been pivotal for India, picking up two crucial wickets in three overs for just 16 runs. With the top and middle order back in the pavilion, Pakistan will need careful batting from the remaining players to post a competitive total.

Mohammad Nawaz manages a single off Shivam Dube’s delivery, keeping the scoreboard ticking for Pakistan. With Farhan back in the pavilion, every run is crucial as India look to maintain control over the innings.

Early in over 15, India struck back with Shivam Dube removing Sahibzada Farhan for 58. Farhan had played a brilliant innings off 44 balls, smashing 5 fours and 3 sixes, but was finally caught behind by the keeper. His dismissal brings another breakthrough for India, leaving Pakistan reeling at 115/4. Dube continues to make an impact with the ball, maintaining pressure on the set batsmen.

Mohammad Nawaz managed 4 runs off 5 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan remains steady on 58 off 44 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. Kuldeep Yadav picked up his third wicket, finishing with figures of 3-0-23-1, and Shivam Dube has 2-0-12-1. The run rate has slightly dipped to 8.21, with Pakistan needing to rebuild after losing Talat and now Nawaz.

A length delivery on leg stump from Kuldeep is clipped gently to square leg by Mohammad Nawaz, keeping the scoreboard ticking but no addition to runs this ball.

Kuldeep Yadav removes hussain talat for 10 off 11 balls, caught by Varun, ending a steady partnership and giving india a crucial breakthrough in the middle overs.

At the end of 13 overs, Pakistan reached 110/2, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the charge on 58 off 44 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Hussain Talat supported well with 10 off 10 deliveries. Shivam Dube finished the over with figures of 2-0-12-1, while Varun Chakravarthy went wicketless, conceding 23 runs in three overs. Pakistan maintains a solid run rate of 8.46, looking to build a competitive total in the middle overs.

Hussain Talat nudged Dube for a single, taking Pakistan to 107/2 in 12.5 overs. The duo of Talat and Sahibzada Farhan continue to rotate the strike, ensuring the scoreboard keeps ticking as India looks for breakthroughs in the middle overs.

At the end of 12 overs, Pakistan reach 103/2, with Sahibzada Farhan continuing his aggressive innings on 56 off 41 balls, while Hussain Talat adds 6 runs. India’s Varun Chakravarthy has conceded 23 runs in his three overs, and Shivam Dube has picked up one wicket so far.