Tag Archives: Asia Cup 2025

Asia Cup: Kuldeep, Axar And Suryakumar Shine As India Outclass Pakistan In Dubai

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Dubai, Sep 14:  India marked their biggest Asia Cup statement yet with a commanding seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, as skipper Suryakumar Yadav starred with an unbeaten 47 on his 35th birthday. Chasing a modest 128, India romped home with 25 balls to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, underscoring their supremacy with bat and ball.

Leading from the front, Suryakumar anchored the chase with characteristic composure, finishing unbeaten alongside Shivam Dube (10*). Earlier, openers Abhishek Sharma (31) and Tilak Varma (31) laid a solid foundation, attacking Pakistan’s bowlers with freedom. The clinical batting ensured India never looked under pressure, despite Saim Ayub’s triple strikes providing brief resistance.

The post-match atmosphere reflected the wider diplomatic frost between the neighbours. Once again, there were no handshakes exchanged between players, a symbolic reminder that this was more than just a sporting contest. The political shadow has turned cricket into yet another arena of silent hostility, even in Dubai’s neutral setting.

Spin dictates Pakistan’s struggle

Earlier in the evening, India’s spinners continued their dominance. Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) and Axar Patel (2/18) dismantled Pakistan’s middle order, while Varun Chakaravarthy (1/24) maintained pressure on a sluggish surface. Pakistan never recovered after early blows, with only Sahibzada Farhan (40) showing resistance before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late fireworks (33* off 16) salvaged some respectability.

The match reinforced India’s tactical gamble of fielding just one frontline pacer, trusting their spinners to dictate terms. The move has worked in back-to-back games, highlighting a fresh blueprint ahead of the T20 World Cup year. By contrast, Pakistan’s batting once again appeared fragile against wrist-spin, exposing a recurring weakness in high-stakes encounters.

India in cruise control

This contest, often billed as cricket’s fiercest rivalry, proved one-sided. India’s superior depth, discipline and adaptability stood out, while Pakistan’s overreliance on cameos was ruthlessly exposed. For India, the ease of the win, without major contributions from Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, will be especially reassuring. For Pakistan, the defeat will raise questions about squad balance and their ability to handle spin-heavy attacks.

Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 127/9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33*; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18)
India: 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 47*, Abhishek Sharma 31, Tilak Varma 31; Saim Ayub 3/22)

India won by 7 wickets.

Asia Cup: Kuldeep Spins Web As India Restrict Pakistan To 127/9 In Dubai

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Dubai, Sep 14 — India’s reliance on spinners once again proved decisive in their Asia Cup Group A clash against Pakistan, as Kuldeep Yadav led a disciplined bowling effort to restrict their arch-rivals to a modest 127/9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

India fielded just one frontline seamer, banking on a three-pronged spin attack. The sluggish surface validated the strategy as Kuldeep (3/18), Axar Patel (2/18) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/24) choked the run flow and shared six wickets between them. Their combined economy rate stayed under five, leaving Pakistan struggling for momentum throughout the innings.

India struck early when Hardik Pandya dismissed Saim Ayub for a golden duck, followed by Jasprit Bumrah removing Mohammad Haris. Pakistan reached 41/2 in the powerplay, with Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan showing brief resistance. But the introduction of spin turned the tide.

Axar dismissed Zaman and Salman Agha, before Kuldeep tightened the noose further. He outfoxed Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz with sharp variations, then lured Farhan into holing out for 40. By the 15th over, Pakistan’s innings was in tatters, reduced to desperate hitting.

The lone spark came from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who smashed an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls, including a flurry of sixes that lifted Pakistan beyond 120. His counterattack, along with Sufiyan Muqeem’s brief support, ensured the innings avoided complete collapse.

India’s spin-first approach vindicated

The match reinforced India’s growing confidence in spin dominance, even in high-pressure fixtures. With Bumrah and Pandya offering control, the spinners operated with freedom, exploiting Pakistan’s long-standing discomfort against quality wrist spin. Pakistan, by contrast, leaned heavily on individual cameos, underlining a fragile middle order.

India’s chase of 128 should be straightforward, but the tactical win already lies in how Rohit Sharma’s side executed their spin blueprint — an approach that could shape their campaign ahead.