In the Super Four round of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, India defeated Pakistan by six wickets as Abhishek Sharma showered the Dubai Cricket Stadium with five sixes, scoring 74 runs on just 39 balls.

Pakistan faced its second defeat by India in the same tournament, having lost by seven wickets in the group-stage match, when the Pakistani batting line-up had collapsed on just 127 runs.

After winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bowl first.

Despite scoring almost 100 runs in eleven overs, Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession, which decelerated the team’s run rate, despite the Indian team dropping four crucial catches.

While Sahibzada Farhaan scored 58 runs on 45 deliveries, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz also added 21 runs each to the team’s total.

The Green Shirts posted 171 runs on board in 20 overs, a relatively small target compared to the current form of Indian batters.

Shivam Dube grabbed two wickets for India, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya took one apiece.

Indian openers got their team a vigorous start when Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma started smashing Pakistan bowlers, mightily.

Abhishek Sharma scored 74 runs on just 39 deliveries, hitting six fours and five sixes, while Shubman Gill just missed his half-century when he lost his wicket on 47 runs, which he scored on 28 balls only.

India lost their first wicket in the 10th over at the score of 105.

Tilak Verma, who made 30 runs, ended the game in style as he hit a towering six then a four to finish the match in the 19th over.

A controversy also occurred when Fakhar Zaman was given out by the third umpire as he was caught by wicket keeper Sanju Samson on the bowl of Hardik Pandya.

Umpire’s review showed that the bowl touched the ground before settling into the hands of Samson.

Fans, commentators, and also Fakhar Zaman, were dismayed over the TV umpire’s decision, calling it unfair and unjustified.

Pakistan team management decided to put Fakhar Zaman with Sahibzada Farhaan to open the innings. Saim Ayub was asked to bat at number four.

Pakistan made two changes in the team: Haris Rauf was recalled into the playing XI after missing the first game against India in the group stage, while Hussain Talat also made his place in the final eleven.

Two specialist spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz, were also in the team along with seasonal pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf.

On the Indian side, Jasprit Bumrah was also back in the team after he was given rest in the last group-stage match against Oman.

Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft, who found himself at the centre of a post-match handshake controversy during their last match, was reappointed for the rematch — raising eyebrows and speculations of ICC turning the issue into a matter of ego.

Pakistan is set to play two matches within five days during the Super Four stage — against Sri Lanka (Tuesday in Abu Dhabi), and Bangladesh (Thursday in Dubai).