India vs Pakistan — Super Fours, 14th Match (A1 v A2), Asia Cup 2025

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Date: September 21, 2025
Result: India won by 6 wickets
Target set by Pakistan: 171/5 in 20 overs
India’s chase: 174/4 in 18.5 overs :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

---

🔍 Key Highlights

• Pakistan innings:

  • Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a brisk 58 off 45, playing a crucial anchoring role early on. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
  • Other contributors: Fakhar Zaman’s 15, Saim Ayub’s 21, Hussain Talat’s 10. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  • Salman Agha finished unbeaten on 13 while Faheem Ashraf added 20* at the death to push the total to 171/5. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

• Bowling for India:

  • Shivam Dube picked up two crucial wickets (Fakhar Zaman & Saim Ayub) helping break Pakistan’s momentum. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  • Kuldeep Yadav also struck to remove Hussain Talat, restricting Pakistan’s lower middle order. Hardik Pandya claimed Fakhar and Samson. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

---

🌟 Abhishek Sharma & India’s Chase

• Abhishek Sharma was the star with a blazing 74 off just 39 balls. His knock included 9 fours and 3 sixes, pushing the tempo from early on. He reached his fifty in ~24 balls. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Opening stand with Shubman Gill (47 off 28) was solid: Gill laid the foundation, Sharma provided the firepower. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Tilak Varma (30 off 19) played a useful cameo late, and Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten to see India home. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

---

🏆 Point Table & Tournament Implications

After this match, the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four points table stands as follows:

• India’s position: This win makes India joint top or sole leader, depending on net run rate, but clearly putting them in a stronger position as the Super Fours progress. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Pakistan’s challenge: With one loss, Pakistan must win their remaining Super Four matches, ideally with big margins, to get back into contention for the final. Their net run rate is now under pressure.

---

📊 Match Summary & Records

• India’s chase was efficient: reaching 174 in just 18.5 overs — they had enough wickets in hand, and the required run rate was maintained thanks mostly to Sharma’s aggression. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Pakistan did well in patches — Farhan’s knock, Faheem Ashraf’s last-over hitting — but dropped catch chances (including ones off Abhishek and Gill) hurt. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Aggressive batting in early overs by both sides: Pakistan’s powerplay yielded 55/1 — a strong start. India too took advantage early, with Sharma especially punishing. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

---

✅ What This Means for the Final & Next Steps

• With this win, India is in a strong spot to make the final, provided they maintain momentum and manage NRR well.
• Pakistan must bounce back in their next matches; theirs is now a must-win scenario in the upcoming Super Four fixtures to stay in the running.
• Key players to watch going forward for India: Abhishek Sharma (for his match-breaking innings), Hardik Pandya in the death overs, and the spin duo (Kuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakravarthy) with tricky overs. For Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan to bat deep, and their bowling needs to contain from all ends.

---

✍️ Summary

The Super Fours match between India and Pakistan lived up to its billing. Pakistan posted a competitive 171/5, thanks largely to Farhan and Faheem’s late order push. India responded with panache, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39, supported ably by Gill, Tilak Varma and Pandya. This win not only gives India a psychological edge but also a head start in the Super Four league. Pakistan, meanwhile, must now regroup fast to avoid being edged out of final contention.

---