Indian spinners strangle Pakistan

Monday, 15 September 2025 03:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Suryakumar Yadav controlled India’s run chase to perfection

63 dot balls tell story of struggle

DUBAI: India showed their supremacy over Pakistan in the shortest version when they notched up a dominant seven-wicket win in their Asia Cup Group A match played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

India made short work of Pakistan’s below-par total of 127-9, by scoring 131-3 to win the contest with 25 balls to spare.

For Pakistan, 128 was always going to be tough to defend. Abhishek Sharma showed his intentions from the first ball, as he charged Shaheen Afridi and hit him straight down the ground for four. The tone was set, and even though India lost three wickets – all to Saim Ayub – the chase was never in doubt. Sharma made 31 off 13 balls to set the stage for Tilak Varma (run-a-ball 31) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (47* off 37 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) to pilot India to victory.

Pakistan, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, struggled against the spin of India and managed only a below-par score of 127-9. Even that total was only possible due to a late cameo by fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, whose 16-ball 33 (4 sixes) injected some life into the game when it was going heavily one-sided. (ST)

Scores:

Pakistan 127-9 (20) (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33*, Jasprit Bumrah 2/28, Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18)

India 131-3 (15.5) (Abishek Sharma 31, Suryakumar Yadav 47*, Tilak Varma 31, Saim Ayub 3/35