Dubai: India secured a thrilling six-wicket win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match on Sunday, maintaining their unbeaten run in the tournament. Chasing Pakistan’s total of 171, India reached 174/4 in 18.5 overs, showcasing a blend of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling.

Opening the innings, Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a blistering 74 runs off just 39 balls. His innings included 6 fours and 5 sixes. Partnering with Sharma, Shubman Gill provided solid support, contributing 47 runs off 28 balls. His innings included 8 fours.

Thanks to the two openers, India reached 100 in just 8.4 overs. But there was a mini slump when the two departed and skipper Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for a duck, but Tilak Varma (30 not out) and Hardik Pandya (7 not out) guided the team to safety. India had beaten Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage as well.

Earlier, India pacer Shivam Dube grabbed the wickets of Sahibzada Farhan (58) and Saim Ayub (21), who had stitched together a valuable 72-run partnership for the second wicket, to stop the run flow after Pakistan had scored 91/1 at the halfway mark of their innings.

As was the case in the league match between the two teams, there was no handshake between Suryakumar and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha at the toss.

During India's pursuit of a 172-run target, Abhishker Sharma and Haris Rauf engaged in a heated altercation moments during the clash. Abhishek's top-edge flew past the boundary rope for a six on the first ball of the innings. While going over to meet his partner, Shubman Gill, at the other end, he mouthed a couple of words, adding spice to the throbbing fixture.

Shades of Aamer Sohail going up against Venkatesh Prasad in 1996 echoed decades later at the Dubai International Stadium after Gill had a go at Shaheen, who just turned back and walked off. On the final delivery of the third over, Gill ambled down the track and targeted extra-cover to pick up a four.

Things heated up as tempers flared on the field after the end of that shot. Gill looked at Shaheen and pointed with his hand where the ball went. The tension boiled over in the final ball of the fifth over. Gill flawlessly executed a short-arm jab to send the ball racing away for a four. After the end of the over, Abhishek and Rauf got into a fierce exchange, which forced Umpire Gazi Sohel to get involved and separate the two.

Brief scores

Pakistan: 171 for 5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58, Saim Ayub 21, Mohammad Nawaz 21; Hardik Pandya 1/29, Kuldeep Yadav 1/31, Shivam Dube 2/33).

India: 174 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Shubman Gill 47, Abhishek Sharma 74, Tilak Varma 30 not out; Haris Rauf 2/26).

(with inputs from PTI & ANI)