DUBAI: The Pakistan men’s cricket team achieved a few milestones against arch-rivals India despite their defeat in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After being invited to bat first, Pakistan’s new opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan made a strong start, accumulating 21 runs before Fakhar was dismissed by Hardik Pandya in the third over due to a controversial call by the third umpire.
Fakhar managed to score 15 runs off just nine balls, including three boundaries.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Farhan continued to push the pace for Pakistan, teaming up with Saim Ayub to add another 34 runs.
Consequently, Pakistan wrapped up the batting powerplay at 55/1. This score of 55 marks their highest powerplay total against India in men’s T20Is, surpassing the previous record of 54 set during the second T20I of the two-match series in Ahmedabad in 2012.
Highest Powerplay totals for Pakistan against India in T20Is
55 runs in Dubai, 2025
54 runs in Ahmedabad, 2012
53 runs in Johannesburg, 2007
44 runs in Dubai, 2022
Moreover, Pakistan also posted their highest total against India. Pakistan posted 171-5 in their allocated 20 overs.
The Men in Green surpassed their previous total of 159-8 that they made against them in 2022.
Highest T20I totals for Pakistan vs India (batting first):
171-5, Dubai 2025
159-8, Melbourne 2022
147, Dubai 2022
130-7, Mirpur 2014
Yet, India defeated Pakistan by six wickets for the second time in a week in the continental tournament.
Farhan top-scored with 58 from 45 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes, which helped Pakistan reach 171 on the board in their 20 overs.
For India, it was Abhishek Sharma’s ruthless knock that steered them to a commanding victory despite their sloppiness in the field during Pakistan’s innings.
After dropping the catches in the field, Abhishek went to score a sublime 74 from 39 balls, laced with five effortless sixes and half a dozen fours.
India eventually chased down the target on the last ball of the 19th over with Tilak Varma scoring 30 off 19 alongside Haridk Pandya, who made seven.
READ: WATCH: Sahibzada Farhan celebrates fifty with firing gun celebration