Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded India’s spin attack as they delivered another commanding performance, dismantling Pakistan in Dubai. Ruthless from the outset, India restricted their rivals to just 127/9 before cruising to the target with 25 balls remaining.
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India Land Early Blows with the New Ball
India wasted no time asserting dominance, striking in just the second delivery of the match before Pakistan could even settle. It took 15 balls for the Men in Green to register their first boundary, a testament to India’s relentless start. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah swung the new ball with precision, forcing Saim Ayub into a loose drive that went straight to point for a duck. Mohammad Haris followed soon after, miscuing Bumrah into the hands of Hardik as Pakistan slipped to 6/2.
Fakhar Zaman briefly thought he had become the third casualty when a brilliant Bumrah yorker trapped him lbw, only for the decision to be overturned on review. Fakhar’s couple of boundaries off Hardik steadied nerves slightly, before Sahibzada Farhan lifted spirits with two audacious sixes off Bumrah, offering Pakistan a glimmer of hope in an otherwise shaky powerplay.
Spin Web Tightens Around Pakistan
After ending the powerplay with a touch of momentum, Pakistan’s innings unraveled completely once India’s spinners took charge. Scoring became a luxury as Axar Patel triggered the collapse, dismissing Fakhar Zaman with a mistimed shot. Salman Agha followed in similar fashion, falling to desperation as he tried to break free but only gifted his wicket away.
With the captain soaking up 12 balls for just three runs, the pressure mounted further. Kuldeep Yadav then twisted the knife, removing Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz off successive deliveries to leave Pakistan reeling at 64/6 and without answers to India’s relentless spin strangle.
Shaheen’s Late Flourishes Lift Pakistan Past 120
With the run rate stuck just above five after 15 overs, Pakistan looked destined to finish well short of a competitive score. Varun Chakaravarthy kept the squeeze on with a disciplined spell, and Kuldeep Yadav struck again in his final over, removing the set Sahibzada Farhan to deepen Pakistan’s troubles.
Just when a sub-100 total loomed large, Shaheen Afridi stepped in with some fearless hitting. A slog-sweep off Kuldeep cleared the ropes, followed by another towering six off Varun to inject rare energy into the innings. Sufiyan Muqeem added two crucial boundaries in the penultimate over against Bumrah, and Shaheen capped it off with more lusty blows against Hardik Pandya to drag Pakistan beyond 120 and give their bowlers at least something to defend.
Pakistan’s Innings Snapshot
| Powerplay (1–6) | 42/2 |
| Middle overs (7–15) | 36/4 |
| Death overs (16–20) | 49/3 |
| Final total | 127/9 |
Abhishek Sets the Tone in a Fiery Powerplay
Facing Shaheen Afridi for the very first time in international cricket, Abhishek Sharma wasted no time in making a statement. Charging down the track first ball, he cracked a boundary before following up with a towering six that electrified the crowd. Shubman Gill soon joined the act, dispatching consecutive fours off Saim Ayub as India threatened to finish the chase inside the powerplay. Against the flow, Gill was undone by a clever carrom ball from Ayub, stumped for a brisk start.
Abhishek, however, kept the pressure on, punishing Shaheen with another six and a boundary before turning his attention to Ayub. The spinner eventually had his revenge, dismissing Abhishek for a whirlwind 31 off 13 balls. Yet Tilak Varma’s late flurry of boundaries ensured India closed the powerplay in full command, reasserting dominance despite Pakistan’s fleeting breakthroughs.
Suryakumar, Varma Seal the Deal with Ease
With the game firmly in India’s grasp, the middle overs became a lesson in controlled batting. On a surface that demanded patience, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma rotated the strike smartly while picking their moments to target Sufiyan Muqeem. Saim Ayub, having a standout night with the ball, broke through once more by cleaning up Varma with a beauty, but Pakistan found no joy at the other end as Mohammad Nawaz bled runs.
Suryakumar’s mastery of the sweep carried him into the 40s, while Shivam Dube added the finishing touches with a towering six. By the end of the phase, only five runs separated India from victory, and the formalities were wrapped up comfortably in the very next over.
Brief Scores
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Performers | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 127/9 | 20 overs | Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33*; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18 | Lost by 7 wkts |
| India | 131/3 | 15.5 overs | Suryakumar Yadav 47*, Abhishek Sharma 31; Saim Ayub 3/35 | Won by 7 wkts |
Where Was the Game Won?
The answer lies in the middle overs, where India’s spinners squeezed Pakistan into submission. While India rotated the strike and built partnerships, Pakistan lost four wickets and their momentum.
| Middle Overs Phase | Pakistan (7–15) | India (7–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 36 | 62 |
| Wickets lost | 4 | 1 |
| Strike rotation | Poor | Effective |
That phase alone decided the match.
What’s Next?
India now look almost certain to secure a Super Four spot, with their next match against Oman on September 19. Pakistan face a crunch clash with the UAE on September 15, a game they must win to keep their campaign alive.
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FAQs
What was India’s margin of victory over Pakistan?
India won by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining.
Who was the standout performer for India?
Kuldeep Yadav with 3/18, supported by Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma.
How many times has India beaten Pakistan in T20Is?
India lead the head-to-head 11-3.
Who top-scored for Pakistan?
Sahibzada Farhan (40) and Shaheen Afridi (33*).
What’s next for India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup?
India face Oman on September 19, while Pakistan take on UAE on September 15.
