India beat Pakistan to secure Super Four spot in one-sided clash

India vs Pakistan fixtures are always charged with extra excitement. This time, however, it was the young stars of both teams rather than the seasoned campaigners who took the field. For India, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma opened in place of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while Pakistan relied on Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha instead of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. But the contest turned out to be completely one-sided. With a commanding seven-wicket victory, India became the first team to confirm their place in the Super Four of the Asia Cup.

On Sunday (September 14), Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They managed 127 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, India reached 131 for three in just 15.5 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with an unbeaten 47.

Batting first, Pakistan suffered an early blow on the second ball of the innings as Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck by Hardik Pandya. Soon after, Mohammad Haris fell to Jasprit Bumrah for only two, leaving the score at six for two.

Shahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman attempted a recovery, adding 39 runs from 38 balls for the third wicket. But in the eighth over, Zaman (17 off 15) was caught off Axar Patel.

The slide continued as Salman Ali Agha (3) and Hasan Nawaz (5) departed in the same over from Kuldeep Yadav. Mohammad Nawaz also fell for nought to the left-arm wrist-spinner. Shahibzada Farhan battled hard for 40 off 44 before also succumbing to Kuldeep, who finished with three wickets.

At 97 for eight, Pakistan risked folding under just 100 before Shaheen Shah Afridi launched a counterattack. Smashing four sixes in his unbeaten 33 from just 16 balls, Afridi lifted his side to 127 for nine. Apart from Kuldeep’s three wickets, Bumrah and Axar claimed two each.

Chasing 128, India’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill started aggressively. Gill departed for 10, but Sharma’s quickfire 31 off 13 balls provided early momentum.

Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma then added 56 runs for the third wicket. Varma made 31 from 31 before being dismissed at 97. However, Yadav’s unbeaten 47 and Shivam Dube’s composed support ensured India sealed victory with 25 balls to spare.