India restrict Pakistan to 127/9 in high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 clash

DUBAI: A disciplined bowling performance from India restricted Pakistan to a modest 127/9 in their high-voltage ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first backfired as his side faltered against India’s varied attack despite a gritty effort from opener Sahibzada Farhan.

The Green Shirts suffered an early collapse, losing Saim Ayub (0) and Mohammad Haris (3) to Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah inside the first two overs with only six runs on the board.

Fakhar Zaman (17) then joined Farhan to add a steadying 39-run stand for the third wicket before Axar Patel struck to remove him in the eighth over.

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Pakistan’s middle order then crumbled, sliding to 64/6 in 12.5 overs. Farhan, who stood firm amid the slump, finally departed in the 17th over for a fighting 40 off 44 balls (one four, three sixes).

Shaheen Shah Afridi provided some late fireworks with a blistering 33 off 16 balls featuring four sixes, while Faheem Ashraf (11) and Sufiyan Muqeem (10) chipped in with lower-order runs.

Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded India’s attack with 3/18 from his four overs, supported by Bumrah and Axar (two wickets each), while Varun Chakravarthy and Pandya picked up one apiece.