Pakistan missed the chance to avenge their earlier loss as India secured a convincing six-wicket win in the Asia Cup Super-Four match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 171 for six in their 20 overs, thanks to a strong start from Sahibzada Farhan, who made 58 off 34 balls after being dropped early. 

Despite reaching 91 for one after the first 10 overs, Pakistan’s momentum stalled in the middle overs as Shivam Dube and Kuldeep Yadav tightened the run flow. Dube claimed two key wickets, dismissing Hussain Talat and Farhan. Late cameos from Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha lifted Pakistan’s total, with 42 runs coming in the last three overs.

India’s reply was blistering. Debutant Abhishek Sharma smashed 74 off 39 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes, including a huge maximum off the very first ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi. 

Alongside Shubman Gill, who scored 47 from 28 balls, Abhishek powered India to their highest-ever opening partnership against Pakistan in T20Is — 106 runs from 59 balls — surpassing the previous record of 77 by Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane in 2012.

Though India lost three wickets in quick succession — Gill, Suryakumar Yadav for a duck, and Abhishek himself — Tilak Varma (30*) and Hardik Pandya (7*) calmly guided India home with seven balls to spare.

India’s fielding was below par, dropping four catches, while Jasprit Bumrah endured a poor day, conceding 45 runs in his four overs — one of his most expensive T20I spells. 

But the commanding start from the openers ensured Pakistan’s plans were undone, handing them a second consecutive defeat against India in this tournament.

SMS/