Gill, Sharma star as India sink Pakistan again in Asia Cup
- By Hamza Khan -
- Sep 21, 2025
Pakistan bowlers were clueless against Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill’s onslaught as India chased a record 172-run total against the Men in Green in 18.5 overs with six wickets in hand.
The Dubai International Stadium witnessed and clinical batting display from the Indian opener who raced to a 50-run stand in just 4.4 overs. By the ninth over, the pair had brought up the century stand — the fastest in the tournament so far.
Sharma reached his half-century in just 24 deliveries, lacing four fours and two sixes in a knock that tore apart Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers. Gill, more measured but equally effective, struck eight boundaries in his 47 before Faheem Ashraf finally broke the 105-run opening partnership in the 11th over.
There was a brief stutter when Suryakumar Yadav fell without scoring, leaving India 106 for 2, and Sharma’s dismissal at 123 gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. But Tilak Varma’s cool-headed 30 not out off 19 balls, alongside Pandya’s unbeaten 7, ensured there would be no collapse.
India reached 172 for 4 in 18.5 overs, completing their highest-ever successful chase against Pakistan in Asia Cup history. For Pakistan, Farhan’s half-century was a highlight, but their bowlers found no answers to Sharma and Gill’s early assault.
With the win, India’s campaign gathers momentum, while Pakistan are left ruing missed chances — including Sharma’s early reprieve — in a match that slipped away from them despite posting a record total.
Earlier, Opener Sahibzada Farhan struck an attacking half-century as Pakistan posted 171-5 after India again refused to shake hands with their opponents in the Asia Cup on Sunday.
The rivals came into the Super Four contest of the regional tournament with tensions high after India angered Pakistan with a ‘no handshake’ stance in their previous meeting at the same venue in Dubai.
India won the toss and fielded first, but Pakistan came out attacking as Farhan, who hit 58, and Saim Ayub, who made 21, put on 72 runs for the second wicket to heap pressure on the Indian bowlers.
Fakhar Zaman opened with Farhan and started aggressively in his nine-ball 15 before being caught behind.
Farhan kept up the charge as he hit five fours and three sixes in his 45-ball knock.
India hit back with three wickets, including Farhan who was dismissed by medium-pace bowler Shivam Dube as Pakistan slipped to 115-4.
Mohammad Nawaz made 21 before being run out.
Skipper Salman Agha, on 17, and Faheem Ashraf, with 20 off eight balls, struck 22 between them to boost the total.
Dube stood out with figures of 2-33, but Indian fielders had a day to forget as they dropped a few catches.
India beat Pakistan in their group match, which was the first cricketing clash between the rival nations since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.
Andy Pycroft turned out as match referee for the Super Four match in spite of Pakistan lodging a protest with the International Cricket Council, alleging that the Zimbabwean had told Agha not to approach India skipper Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake.
The Pakistan Cricket Board demanded that Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team T20 competition.
Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.
Live Update
End of the game!
India won by six wickets in 18.5 overs.
OUT!
Sanju Samson’s struggling knock of 13 runs ended courtesy of Haris Rauf.
India 148-4 after 16.4 overs
OUT!
Abhishek Sharma falls after scoring brisk 74 off 39.
India 123-3 after 12.2 overs.
OUT!
Haris Rauf removes Suryakumar Yadav (0)
India 106-2 after 10.3 overs.
OUT!
Finally a wicket for Pakistan as Faheem Ashraf bowled Shubman Gill, who scored 47.
India 105-1 after 9.5 overs.
100 up for India in just 8.4 overs.
50!
Half century for brilliant Abhishek Sharma off just 24 balls.
End of powerplay
India 69-0 after 6 overs
Shubman Gill (35) and Abhishek Sharma (33)
Chasing a record total, India were off to a flying start courtesy of openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. They raced to a 50-run stand in just 4.4 overs courtesy of six boundaries and two maximums.
End of innings
Pakistan 171-5 from 20 overs
Run Out!
Presence of mind from the fielder India captain Yadav as he caught Mohammad Nawaz out on the crease at the striker’s end.
Pakistan 149-5 after 18.2 overs.
OUT!
Dube to Sahibzada Farhan, OUT Farhan loses the grip on his bat… and his wicket. He departs after scoring 58 off 45 balls.
Pakistan 115-4 after 14.2 overs
Out!
Saim Ayub falls after scoring 21 off 17 thanks to a brilliant catch from Abhishek Sharma
Pakistan 93-2 after 10.3 overs.
Pakistan 55-1 at the end of powerplay.
Sahibzada Farhan (29) and Saim Ayub (9)
Asia Cup 2025: Captains skip handshake again
Dropped!
Saim Ayub (4) survives an early departure as Kuldeep Yadav dropped a sitter.
OUT!
Excellent slow delivery from Pandya as he deceives Fakhar Zaman for a caught behind. The catch doesn’t look clean. But was given out by the third umpire.
Pakistan 21-1 after 2.3 overs.
Fakhar Zaman dismissal sparks debate
Dropped!
Sahibzada Farhan (0) survives an early scare as he was dropped by Abhishek Sharma.
New opening pair for Pakistan with Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan are out in the middle to start the proceedings for the Men in Green.
Both teams line up for their national anthems.
The Super Four is being played at the Dubai International Stadium under the shadow of handshake and match-referee controversies.
Pakistan have made two changes its playing XI with Faheen Ashraf and Husain Talat replacing Khuhdil Shah and Hasan Nawaz.
Interestingly, both captains did not shake hands again after the toss.
Meanwhile, India also made two changes in their side with Bumrah and Varun come back.
Pakistan cancelled its pre-match press conference on Saturday, with the team management not sharing any specific reasons behind the move.
It is believed that the decision was taken to avoid having to discuss the handshakes.
Teams:
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.