In a Super Fours match of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, India defeated Pakistan by six wickets on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium thanks to a brilliant 74 off 39 balls from Abhishek Sharma.

The outcome also recorded India’s most successful chase against Pakistan in Twenty20 Internationals, as the world champions continued their winning streak.

The outcome also recorded India’s most successful chase against Pakistan in Twenty20 Internationals, as the defending world champions continued their winning streak.

Abhishek set the tone for a commanding chase as he hit the opening ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi for six, igniting India’s determined pursuit of 172. Together with Shubman Gill, who scored a quick 47 off 28 deliveries, the two created a game-changing opening partnership of 105 runs that left Pakistan reeling.

After collecting two boundaries from Ashraf, Abhishek ended a lengthy post-fifty quiet and lofted Abrar over wide long-on for six. He quickly holed out to long-on after mistiming a pull off the wrist spinner’s wide googly.

Varma and Sanju Samson remained to keep the scoreboard moving even though India needed just 49 runs off of 46 balls. Tilak and Hardik Pandya gently pushed the ball around for boundaries to lead India home, despite Rauf hitting a scratchy Samson.

Prior to this, Pakistan reached 171/5 in their 20 overs, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the way with 58 and Faheem Ashraf providing a late boost with an undefeated 20 off eight balls. Pakistan’s innings was anchored by Farhan’s half-century, which was distinguished by his deft use of the crease and strategic footwork.

Abhishek fumbled his catch off Pandya in the first over, giving Farhan a worry, but he managed to survive. Fakhar Zaman’s promotion move started off nicely when he moved down the field to drive Bumrah for another boundary after flicking him for four.

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The third umpire confirmed that Zaman had edged a slower delivery from Pandya that just carried to Samson, ending his promising start in the third over.

Salman Agha lofted a googly from Kuldeep over long-off for six to start Pakistan’s back-end comeback. Mohammad Nawaz then swatted and edged Dube for six and four. However, India retaliated when Nawaz was out for 21 after taking a direct hit from Kuldeep.

If Gill hadn’t lost his catch at deep mid-wicket, India would have got him after Ashraf hit a Bumrah full toss for six. Ashraf edged and cut Pandya for four and six to push Pakistan above 170, but it wasn’t enough to prevent India from winning handily. That miss proved costly.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58, Saim Ayub 21; Shivam Dube 2-33, Hardik Pandya 1-29)
India 174/4 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 74, Shubman Gill 47; Haris Rauf 2-26, Faheem Ashraf 1-31) won by six wickets