By ABDULLAH 
Pakistan’s batting woes resurfaced in the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash against India, as the Green Shirts managed only 127/9 in 20 overs at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Despite a late cameo from Shaheen Shah Afridi, the innings lacked firepower and left fans frustrated yet again in one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.
Pakistan’s innings began in disastrous fashion. Young opener Saim Ayub, who has been under the spotlight for his aggressive stroke play, fell to Jasprit Bumrah on the very first ball of the match. Attempting a flashy square drive, Ayub gifted a simple catch to point marking his second consecutive golden duck in the tournament.
The early breakthrough tilted momentum instantly towards India, piling pressure on Pakistan’s top order. Mohammad Haris, fresh from his match-winning knock against Oman, failed to carry that form forward. He attempted to take on Bumrah but ended up mistiming a pull shot, scoring just 3 runs before being caught at deep square leg. At 6 for 2, Pakistan was already reeling.
With the top order shaken, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman looked to stabilize the innings. The duo stitched together a 39-run stand for the third wicket, offering a glimpse of hope for Pakistan. Zaman tried to break free but was dismissed by left-arm spinner Axar Patel, ending what could have been a crucial partnership.
Captain Salman Agha then entered under immense pressure. His stay was nervy nearly falling LBW first ball and his inability to rotate strike mounted the trouble. Eventually, he too perished, leaving Pakistan struggling at 49/4 by the halfway mark.
The middle order crumbled against Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic, as Pakistan lost two quick wickets in the same over. Youngster Hasan Nawaz and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz both departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan six down with hardly any runs on the board.
Farhan, who tried to hold the innings together, finally fell after a laborious 40 off 44 balls. His dismissal summed up Pakistan’s struggles an inability to accelerate when needed.
When it seemed Pakistan would not even cross the 100-run mark, Shaheen Shah Afridi walked in with an intent to attack. The fast bowler stunned fans with his aggressive batting, smashing 33 runs off 16 balls, including four towering sixes. His fearless cameo ensured Pakistan reached a somewhat respectable total of 127/9 in 20 overs.
Still, the lack of contributions from the top and middle order meant Pakistan’s innings was far below par for a high-stakes India-Pakistan encounter. Notably, five batsmen failed to reach double figures, and two were dismissed for golden ducks.
India’s bowling attack was relentless from start to finish. Kuldeep Yadav stood out with remarkable figures of 3 for 18, dismantling Pakistan’s middle order. Bumrah and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each, while Varun Sharma chipped in as well. Their disciplined line and length never allowed Pakistan to settle or build momentum.
This Asia Cup fixture wasn’t just about runs and wickets. It marked the first Pakistan-India clash since February 2025 and their first meeting in the tournament since 2023, when India humiliated Pakistan with a 228-run win. Adding to the intensity, it was also the first sporting encounter between the two nations since their political standoff in May this year.
Security around the Dubai International Stadium was tightened, with authorities issuing strict guidelines for fans. Dubai Police urged everyone to respect cultural norms and warned that violations could lead to penalties. The stadium was filled with passionate supporters from both sides, adding to the electric atmosphere of this age-old rivalry.
Pakistan’s batting collapse once again highlighted the team’s fragile middle order and lack of consistency. While the bowlers might still fight back, defending a 128-run target against India’s powerful batting lineup looks like a monumental challenge.
For fans, the disappointment lies not just in the scoreline but in the pattern. Despite strong individual performances in earlier matches, the team continues to struggle in crunch situations against top-tier opponents.
As the match continues, all eyes are on whether Pakistan’s bowlers can stage a miracle defense, or if India will cruise to yet another victory over their arch-rivals.