India cruise past Pakistan after Kuldeep, Axar apply blowtorch: 2025 Asia Cup No 6 (Dubai)

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav applied the brakes as India outclassed Pakistan by seven wickets in their politically charged Asia Cup 2025 T20 encounter in Dubai.

Pakistan struggled with the bat, posting just 127 for nine as India’s spinners, especially Kuldeep and Axar Patel, applied relentless pressure. Sahibzada Farhan’s 40 and Shaheen Afridi’s quick-fire 33 not out offered brief resistance, but the total was never enough.

In reply, India chased down the target with ease in 15.5 overs, led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 47, while Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma added 31 apiece.

Despite off-field calls for a boycott, India asserted their dominance on the field to strengthen their position in the tournament.

India 131 for 3 (Suryakumar 47*, Abhishek 31, Tilak 31, Ayub 3-35) beat Pakistan 127 for 9 (Farhan 40, Afridi 33*, Kuldeep 3-18, Axar 2-18, Bumrah 2-28) by seven wickets.

Sept 2025.