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DUBAI: Abhishek Sharma’s imperious knock propelled India to a comprehensive win over Pakistan in the second match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

India made light work of the chase, losing just four wickets and finishing with seven balls to spare.

In pursuit of the target, the Men in Blue openers came out all guns blazing, particularly Abhishek Sharma, whose effortless shots were a sight to watch.

The left-hander pummelled the Pakistan bowlers all around the park, powering India to 69-0 in the powerplay.

Even after the field restrictions were lifted, India’s onslaught continued with Sharma racing to his half-century in just 24 balls.

Pakistan finally got a breakthrough in the form of Shubman Gill, who was bowled by Faheem Ashraf for a well-made 47 from 28 balls. Gill crunched eight boundaries in his fluent knock.

Soon after, Suryakumar Yadav was sent back for a duck as Pakistan sensed an opening. At this stage, India were 106-2 in 10.3 overs.

However, Abhishek Sharma continued on his merry way and kept Pakistan bowlers at bay with sublime hitting.

With India requiring just 49 from 48 balls, Abhishek eventually departed, holing it out to long on. His 74 off 39 balls included five towering sixes and half a dozen fours.

The Men in Blue were over the line in the second last over, with ice-cool Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya adding 26* from 13 balls on the fifth wicket. Varma scored 30* off 19, whereas Pandya made seven not out.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf picked up two wickets while Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed managed to scalp one apiece.

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s gutsy half-century and Faheem Ashraf’s late cameo powered Pakistan to a strong total against India

Put into bat first, Pakistan racked up 171-5 in their 20 overs.

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The new opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan started solidly as they raced to 21 in 2.3 overs.

However, Hardik Pandya removed Zaman, who was looking dangerous after making 15 off nine balls. Yet, Pakistan charged and reached a decent score of 55 at the end of the powerplay with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub at the crease.

The duo added another 38 before Saim was removed after trying to pull a shorter length delivery. He made 21 off 17 with the aid of a six and four. Meanwhile, Farhan held firm and reached his half-century in the process.

At this stage, Pakistan were 93-2 in 10.3 overs.

However, India fought back in the middle overs, taking wickets at regular intervals, which halted Pakistan’s progress. The Men in Blue struck on the first balls of the 14th and 15th over, respectively.

Farhan was the first to go, whereas Talat followed him after with a sluggish knock off 10 from 11 balls. Farhan remained the top-scorer with 58 from 45 balls, laced with three sixes and five fours.

Eventually, Pakistan reached a good score, courtesy of Faheem Ashraf’s cameo, who made 20 off eight, striking two sixes and a four.

For India, Shivam Dube remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up crucial two wickets in the middle overs with medium pace bowling. Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya picked one wicket each.

READ: ‘Pycroft is not a schoolteacher’ Ashwin slams Pakistan over handshake row

DUBAI: India have won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the second match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Super Fours here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat,  Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

Both teams have faced each other 14 times in the T20I format. India have won 11 out off 14 encounters, whereas Pakistan have only managed to secure three wins.

For context, Pakistan and India are set to face each other for the second time in the Asia Cup 2025. In their previous meeting, India comprehensively defeated Pakistan in a one-sided affair.

READ: Litton Das overtakes Shakib Al Hasan’s T20I record in Sri Lanka victory

Pakistan and India are set to meet again on Sunday, September 21, in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025, exactly one week after their previous encounter and the infamous handshake controversy.

India had won convincingly at the same Dubai venue, but what followed has turned this into far more than a cricket match.

The September 14 fixture was the first meeting between Pakistan and India since cross-border tensions resurfaced in May, and the unease was evident even before a ball was bowled.

Both captains skipped the customary handshake at the toss, something the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleged was instructed by match referee Andy Pycroft. According to the PCB, this move violated the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

India’s seven-wicket win was quickly overshadowed by what came next. After sealing victory, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked straight off as the rest of the Indian players celebrated in their dugout, refusing to acknowledge Pakistan.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

Salman Ali Agha’s men stood waiting in line for the traditional handshake, only to be left stranded. Head coach Mike Hesson later admitted the team felt insulted, and in protest, Pakistan’s captain skipped the post-match presentation.

Suryakumar, meanwhile, dedicated the win to victims of the Pahalgam attack and the Indian armed forces, a pointed reminder of the political backdrop.

The PCB responded with a formal complaint to both the ICC and MCC, demanding Pycroft’s removal from the Asia Cup. They even suspended their own Director of International Cricket, Usman Wahla, for delaying the official protest.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan threatened to boycott the tournament altogether. The standoff eventually eased after Pycroft privately apologised before Pakistan’s match against the UAE, but the damage was already done.

And so, tomorrow’s clash carries all that baggage. We know there will be no handshakes, no pretence of sportsmanship. This is shaping up to be a war on the field.

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For Pakistan’s players, the sting of insult is real, and they will want to respond. But here’s the truth: the only meaningful reply won’t come in press conferences or protests; it has to come through victory.

That is where the real concern lies. Amid all the drama, Pakistan’s on-field performance has been overlooked. Their performance against India was toothless, and even against minnows UAE, they barely scraped through.

Unless they lift their game dramatically, passion and politics will count for little.

So what can we expect on Sunday? High tensions, maybe a few flashpoints reminiscent of Afridi versus Gambhir, and certainly no handshakes.

But for Pakistan, the only response that truly matters, the only way to change the story, is to defeat India. Because in the end, nothing stings the opposition more than defeat.

Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk).

Pakistan: Salman Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

READ: Suryakumar Yadav snubs Pakistan again

ABU DHABI: India survived a scare to beat Oman by 21 runs in the final group stage fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Set 188, spirited Oman fell short and managed to score 167-4 in their 20 overs.

In pursuit of the target, the openers provided a solid start with 56 on the board. Jatinder Singh departed after scoring 32 from 33 balls with the aid of five fours.

However, Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza paired up for a massive 93-run partnership, which kept Indian bowlers at bay in the middle overs.

The duo batted cautiously and took their team to the 150-run mark. The stand eventually culminated with Aamir Kaleem’s wicket, who was caught brilliantly by Hardik Pandya on the boundary line. He top-scored with 64 from 46 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes.

Mirza followed him shortly after, for a well-made 51 from 33 balls. The right-hander struck seven fours and two sixes in his gutsy knock.

With these wickets, Oman’s hopes for a memorable win were dashed as the asking rate was too much for the upcoming batters.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya picked up one wicket each.

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Earlier, Sanju Samson’s half-century and Abhishek Sharma’s onslaught powered India to a formidable total against

India capitalized on the decision to bat first and amassed 188-8 in their 20 overs despite losing Shubman Gill for five.

After an early wicket, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson quickly steadied the innings,  adding a brisk 65 off 35 balls, which brought the total to 72 in 7.1 overs.

Sharma remained the core aggressor and made 38 from just 15 balls. His powerful knock featured two sixes and five fours.

However, Oman roared back with back-to-back wickets and put India in a precarious position at 73-3 in 7.3 overs. Meanwhile, Samson continued and played an anchoring knock off 56 from 45 balls.

Later on, cameos from Axar Patel (26 from 13) and Tilak Varma (29 from 18) helped the Men in Blue to finish strong.

For Oman, Shah Faisal remained the pick of the bowlers and picked up two wickets. Aamir Kaleem and Jiten Ramanandi supported him well with two scalps apiece.

READ: Australia skipper Pat Cummins ‘hopeful’ of playing in Ashes

ABU DHABI: India have won the toss and decided to bat first against Oman in the 12th and final group stage fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Playing XIs

Oman XI: Jatinder Singh (capt), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem, Aryan Bisht, Zikria Islam, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastava, Jiten Ramanandi

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have never squared off against each other, and this will be the first time that India and Oman will meet in international cricket.

READ: Alex Carey replaces Josh Inglis in Australia squad for New Zealand T20Is

ABU DHABI: Kusal Mendis’ gutsy half-century propelled Sri Lanka, alongside Bangladesh, into the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours as Afghanistan crashed out.

Set 170, Sri Lanka cruised to a victory in 18.4 overs, losing just four wickets in the process.

Mendis anchored the innings with 74* off 52 balls, striking 10 fours, while Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 26 off 13 with the aid of two sixes.

The chase started on a shaky note as Sri Lanka lost their inform opener Pathum Nissanka (6) in the second over. Despite the wicket, the Islanders continued on to score briskly.

Afghanistan got their second breakthrough in the last over of the powerplay in the form of Kamil Mishara, who departed after scoring four from 10 balls.

At this stage, Sri Lanka were 47-2 in 5.2 overs. Meanwhile, Mendis held one end firm and forged two crucial stands. First, he partnered with Kusal Perera for a 45-run partnership and then with skipper Charith Asalanka for a brief 27-run partnership.

Perera and Charith made 28 and 17 runs respectively, which powered them into a strong position.

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad picked up one wicket each.

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Earlier, Mohammad Nabi’s counterattacking half-century lifted his side to a respectable total.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up 169-8 in the 11th fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Afghanistan’s openers were off to a flyer, posting 26 runs on the board in 2.1 overs. However, Thushara had other plans, who ripped through the top order with excellent bowling.

He first removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made 14 from eight, and then Karim Janat (1) in a span of five balls to rock Afghanistan.

As a result, Afghanistan were reduced to 32-2 in three overs.

Thushara continued on, and in the fourth over, he removed Sediqullah Atal to put Sri Lanka in the driving seat. Atal was castled after making 18 from 14 with the aid of two fours and a six.

Sri Lanka continued to mount pressure with excellent bowling and regular wickets, which left Afghanistan reeling at one stage for 114-7 in 17.1 overs.

However, it was Nabi’s blinder – 60 from just 22 balls, which powered them to an above-par score. First, Sri Lanka pacer Dushmanta Chameera came in Nabi’s way, whom he belted for three consecutive fours, an over yielding 17 runs.

32-run last over was cheery on top for Afghanistan as the veteran batter belted five gigantic sixes off Dunith Wellalage’s bowling, making it a 32-run over.

For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Thushara remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up a four-wicket haul for 19 in his four overs.

READ: Mickey Arthur baffled by Babar Azam’s absence from Asia Cup squad

ABU DHABI: Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the 11th fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday. 

Playing XIs

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Afghanistan XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have squared off eight times in the T20I format, with the Islanders heading the record with five wins, followed by the Afghan team with three.

Matches 8, Afghanistan 3, Sri Lanka 5

READ: Mickey Arthur baffled by Babar Azam’s absence from Asia Cup squad

TOKYO: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has crashed out of the World Athletics Championships at the Japan National Stadium here on Wednesday after failing to cross the qualification mark in the final round.

Arshad opened with a throw of 82.73m, followed by a foul on his second attempt, and managed only a slight improvement to 82.75m on his third.

In his fourth attempt, he made another foul, causing him to crash out of the competition, as the effort was insufficient to secure a place among the finalists.

Nadeem failed to qualify for the top eight, which was necessary for three additional attempts in the final, ultimately eliminating his chances for a medal.

Meanwhile, his arch-rival and defending champion Neeraj Chopra began strongly, landing 83.65m with his first throw and extending it to 84.03m on his second. Although his third attempt was ruled invalid, Chopra comfortably advanced to the next stage.

Earlier in the qualifiers, Arshad Nadeem had kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with an 85.28m throw on his third attempt after struggling with 76.99m and 74.17m in his first two. However, he was unable to replicate that form in the decisive round.

Group B was headlined by Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters, who sealed his place in the final with a massive 89.53m throw.

From Group A, Chopra, Julien Weber, and Dawid Wegener also booked their spots with consistent performances.

READ: Mickey Arthur baffled by Babar Azam’s absence from Asia Cup squad

DUBAI: Fakhar Zaman’s brisk half-century and a dominant bowling performance propelled Pakistan to the super fours, setting up another India clash in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

Pakistan will face India in the Super Fours on Sunday, September 21, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Set 147-run target, UAE crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 150 in 17.4 overs.

Despite restricting Pakistan to a low total, UAE batters failed to take advantage. Alishan Sharafu and Mohammad Waseem added 21 for the first wicket before the former was castled by Shaheen on the score of 12.

Waseem followed him after making 14 from 15, whereas Saim bamboozled Muhammad Zohaib for four, which left UAE reeling at 37-3 in 5.3 overs.

Following the early wickets, Dhruv Parashar and Rahul Chopra forged a stand of 48 runs. However, the pair took 51 balls for their partnership, and with the required rate creeping up, the hosts slumped and lost wickets in a heave.

Chopra remained the highest scorer, making 35 runs with the aid of a four and a six.

For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf bagged two wickets each.

Earlier, Simranjeet Singh and Junaid Siddique combined to rattle Pakistan’s batting lineup, not before Shaheen Afridi’s lusty blows, which took them to a competitive total

UAE capitalized on the decision to bowl first as their bowlers displayed a commendable performance, limiting Pakistan to a modest 146-9 in 20 overs.

For Pakistan, it was a miserable start as Saim Ayub fell for his third consecutive and fifth duck in eight innings. Sahibzada Farhan followed him in the third over after managing to score five from 12 deliveries.

After Green Shirts were reduced to 9-2 in 2.4 overs, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha launched a brief recovery with a 61-run partnership.

The duo managed to take Pakistan out of trouble as the scorecard read 70 in 11 overs. However, the stand culminated as Salman Ali Agha’s sluggish knock ended, courtesy of a brilliant catch in the covers. He made 20 off 27 with the help of two fours.

The wicket gave UAE an opening, and the hosts penetrated through the middle order with quick strikes. Fakhar Zaman departed after scoring 50 off 36 balls, striking three maximums and two fours.

The wicket sparked a mini collapse until Shaheen Afridi’s cameo (29 off 14 balls), which took Pakistan to a respectable total.

For UAE, Junaid Siddique – who made early inroads with the new ball, remained the standout bowler with four wickets in his four overs. Simranjeet Singh was excellent as well with three scalps to his name in four overs.

Playing XIs

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed

UAE XI: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (capt), Asif Khan,  Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali,  Muhammad Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh,  Junaid Siddique

READ: Andy Pycroft apologises to Pakistan captain, manager: PCB

DUBAI: UAE have the won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the crucial encounter of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed

UAE XI: Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Waseem (capt), Asif Khan,  Muhammad Zohaib, Harshit Kaushik, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali,  Muhammad Rohid Khan, Simranjeet Singh,  Junaid Siddique

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Pakistan and the UAE have faced each other twice in the T20I format. Pakistan emerged victorious on both occasions.

Matches 2, Pakistan 2, UAE  0

READ: Javelin ace Arshad books spot in World Athletics Championships final