Sahibzada Farhan topscores for Pakistan as he belted 58 off 45 balls
Pakistan set up a challenging target of 172 runs for India thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty in most-awaited Asia Cup 2025’s Super Fours encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, on Sunday.
Sahibzada Farhan hit a half-century to push Pakistan significantly forward. The right-hander’s impeccable half-century settled Pakistan’s innings even after Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub’s exit.
Hardik Pandya provided India with an early blow by sending Fakhar, who hit 15 off 9, packing.
Saim and Farhan then took over the innings and established a partnership of 72 runs.
The partnership was ended by Shivam Dube by sending Saim back. Hussain Talat then came out to share the crease with Farhan.
Saim was sent back by Shivam Dube as his personal score was 21 off 17 deliverings.
Hussain could not form a partnership with Farhan, as he returned to pavilion after scoring only 10 for 11 balls.
Dube struck again and sent Farhan back in 15th over.
India won the toss and asked Green Shirts to bat.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Instructions on safety for cricket spectators
Dubai Police issued a Public Safety Alert to cricket spectators, calling for strict adherence to security instructions when arriving at the stadium.
Pakistan imposed competitive target on India in thrilling Asia Cup encounter
In Dubai Police’s view, adhering to security personnel and organisers’ guidelines is vital to guarantee the security of all viewers.
The officials told the fans to check their tickets and enter through only the gates specified for them.
The public safety alert was sent automatically to all mobile phones of those who approached within the proximity of Dubai Sports City so that all those within the area received the alert.
Dubai Police reiterated that fans’ cooperation is essential in making the tournament successful and secure.
Head-to-head
India and Pakistan have faced each other 14 times in T20Is, and Men in Blue have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head record with 11 wins, whereas Pakistan has won thrice.
But in the last four encounters at the above-mentioned venue, both sides claimed two victories.
Matches: 14
India: 11
Pakistan: 3
Form Guide
Pakistan and India come into the blockbuster Super Four encounter with equal momentum, with the Green Shirts posting just one loss in their past five completed T20Is, and India winning five consecutive matches.
Ironically, Pakistan’s solitary loss in their last five T20Is was against arch-rivals India last week.
Opting to bat first, the national team could accumulate 127/9 in 20 overs despite Sahibzada Farhan’s anchoring 40-run knock and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s blistering 33-run cameo at the backend.
The total ultimately proved to be insufficient for the reigning world champions as they romped to a resounding seven-wicket victory with 25 balls to spare.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav led the run chase with an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls, and Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma contributed 31 apiece
