Pakistan put up a fighting total of 171 for 5 in their 20 overs against India in the Asia Cup Super Fours clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sahibzada Farhan led the charge with a classy 58, while Faheem Ashraf fired up the end with an unbeaten 20 off just eight balls.
Farhan’s knock anchored the innings, thanks to his smart footwork and clever shot-making. The opener kept India’s bowlers on their toes right from the Powerplay, especially against Jasprit Bumrah, who leaked 34 runs in his first three overs. Pakistan raced to 91 for 1 in the first 10 overs, building on a solid 72-run partnership for the second wicket between Farhan and Saim Ayub.
Things heated up early when Fakhar Zaman started strong, flicking Bumrah for boundaries. But Pandya struck in the third over, getting Zaman with a slower ball that edged to Sanju Samson behind the stumps. Ayub joined the fun at No. 3, pulling Pandya for four and surviving a dropped catch off Varun Chakaravarthy.
By the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan sat pretty at 55 for 1, with Farhan smashing four boundaries off Bumrah and a slog-sweep four against Chakaravarthy. He reached his fifty in 34 balls, pulling Axar Patel for a huge six. Ayub and Farhan then hammered Kuldeep Yadav for maximums, keeping the momentum alive.
India hit back in the middle overs, though. Shivam Dube turned the game with his variations, grabbing 2 for 33. He dismissed Ayub with a top-edged pull and later caught Farhan trying to heave one. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy choked the run flow, allowing just 38 runs from overs 11 to 17. Hussain Talat fell to a mistimed reverse sweep off Kuldeep, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket.
Pakistan looked stuck, but they sparked a late revival. Salman Agha launched a googly from Kuldeep for six over long-off. Mohammad Nawaz added 21 with a six and a four off Dube, but a sharp direct hit from Kuldeep ran him out. Ashraf then unleashed, smashing a full toss from Bumrah for six and surviving a dropped catch by Shubman Gill. He edged and carved Pandya for a four and six to push the score past 170 in the final overs.
India’s bowlers kept it tight overall, with Dube’s spell standing out and Kuldeep and Pandya picking up one wicket each. Pakistan’s total might feel a bit short after their explosive start, setting up an intriguing chase in this high-stakes Pakistan vs India showdown.
Brief scores: Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58, Saim Ayub 21; Shivam Dube 2-33, Hardik Pandya 1-29) vs India.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
