India Clinically Dusts Pakistan in Highly Anticipated Matchup

Abhishek Sharma set up the successful run-chase with a blistering knock • Sept 14, 2025 • Associated Press

On Sunday, neighboring countries came head-to-head on the cricket scene in the 2025 Asia Cup. This match was highly anticipated on its announcement months ago. Yet, political tensions undermined a lot of the usual festivities.

The Asia Cup, which began on Tuesday, features India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. These teams face off in two groups, with two teams from each group moving on to the semifinals and ultimately the final. 

This edition of the Asia Cup is in the T20 format, preceding the T20 World Cup to be played next year.

The two high-profile teams of India and Pakistan featured in a group-stage match on Sunday, with both teams having won comprehensively in their previous match against non-test-playing countries. 

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attacks in April by Pakistani terrorist forces, targeting and killing not only their target of Hindu targets, but a Christian and a Muslim individual, too, India’s relationship with Pakistan has been even more tentative than before.

As such, a large media movement to boycott the match was pushed, largely from the Indian side, to support the victims of the Pahalgam attacks. 

Yet, the match ensued. Pakistan won the toss, choosing to bat first on a tacky and dry surface. Two quick wickets left the Men in Green reeling, and they never recovered, as fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s cameo scraped them just shy of 130. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the impressive bowling, picking up three wickets for 18 runs in his full quota of four overs.

India’s youthful batting attack finished the clinical work of their fast bowlers, with 25-year-old Abhishek Sharma’s blitzkrieg of 31 runs and captain Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 not out setting the tone for a seven-wicket victory for the Indians.

After the win, Indian players were seen avoiding handshakes with their opponents, and Suryakumar Yadav spoke of dedicating this win to the victims of the Pahalgam attacks.