India made a commanding start in their Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan with openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill firmly in control.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a competitive target of 172 runs for India courtesy of Sahibzada Farhan's fifty in the most-anticipated Super Fours match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 171-5 in 20 overs, marking their highest-ever T20I total against India when batting first. Their previous best was 159-8 in Melbourne during the 2022 T20 World Cup, a match they narrowly lost in the final over.
Highest T20I totals for Pakistan vs India (batting first):
Pakistan got off to a steady start as new opening pair Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman put together 21 runs before Zaman fell to Hardik Pandya in the third over, following a debated third-umpire decision. Zaman scored 15 off nine deliveries, including three boundaries.
Farhan then forged a commanding 72-run partnership for the second wicket with Saim Ayub, who made 21 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Shivam Dube in the 11th over.
Farhan later shared a brief 17-run stand with Hussain Talat (10) until Dube ended his valiant knock in the 15th over. Farhan remained the top-scorer with 58 off 45 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes.
After Farhan’s dismissal, captain Salman Ali Agha and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz added a crucial 34-run partnership for the fifth wicket until Agha was dismissed in a bizarre manner.
Nawaz contributed 21 off 19 balls, hitting one six and one four, while Agha remained unbeaten on 17 off 13 deliveries. Faheem Ashraf provided a late surge, scoring 20 not out off 8 balls, including two sixes and a four.
For India, Shivam Dube was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya took one wicket each.
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Dubai Police issued a Public Safety Alert for cricket fans, urging strict compliance with security instructions when entering the stadium.
According to Dubai Police, following the guidelines of security personnel and organisers is essential to ensure the safety of all spectators.
The officials instructed fans to verify their tickets and enter only through the designated gates assigned to them.
The public safety alert was automatically delivered to all mobile phones of individuals who came within the vicinity of Dubai Sports City, ensuring that everyone in the area received the message.
Dubai Police emphasised that the cooperation of fans is key to making the tournament safe and successful.