India didn’t make a great start with the ball during the final of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against Pakistan, where they gave away an 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman. However, they made a brilliant end in the middle overs of the innings and got the last nine wickets for 33 runs.

Chasing the target, the eyes for the Indian side were on Abhishek Sharma, who had been in tremendous form during this event with three successive half-centuries. Many reckoned that even Pakistan could get Abhishek early, then the rest of the batting department would fall like a pack of cards.

See Also: [WATCH] Rahul Chahar picks 7 wickets in one inning in County Championship 2025 debut for Surrey against Hampshire

Shaeen Shah Afridi bowled a fine over to the left-handed batter inside the power play. The second ball was smashed through the cover-point for a boundary before he was beaten on the third ball. The left-handed batter couldn’t do well in the last four balls, and that created incredible pressure on him to break free for the second over.

Watch: Faheem Ashraf breaks India’s opening stand with Abhishek Sharma’s wicket during IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 final

On the opening ball of the second over, Faheem Ashraf came into the attack. He bowled a slow delivery outside the batter’s arc as Abhishek looked to take the ultra-aggressive route and nail the ball outside the rope. But he didn’t get the full elevation and was caught on the edge of the ring by Haris Rauf for five runs in six balls.

FAHEEM ASHRAF RANA STRIKES, ABHISHEK SHARMA GONE!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qTlrT7I4wR

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) September 28, 2025

Apart from the top three, no one got into the double figures for the Pakistan side in the batting line-up. All of Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy picked up two wickets while Kuldeep Yadav bagged four wickets in his spell of four overs for 30 runs.

India, along with Abhishek, also lost their captain Suryakumar Yadav, for 10 runs in the third over, and found themselves under immense pressure in the brief chase during the second innings. Both the opening bowlers picked up a wicket each from the Indian innings.

During the Super 4 encounter in the Asia Cup 2025 between India and Pakistan on September 21, Shubman Gill dropped a simple catch at key stage. The moment came in the 18.5 over when Faheem Ashraf mistimed a big shot off Jasprit Bumrah at deep mid-wicket. Gill was in the right place but looked casual and failed to hold on. Ashraf got two runs, and it was the fourth dropped catch by India in the innings, showing their poor fielding in this high-pressure game.

Pakistan, after being asked to bat first, scored 171/5 in their 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan was the star with a solid 58 from 45 balls after the early wicket of Fakhar Zaman. Despite losing a few wickets, Pakistan made sure they finished well, taking full advantage of India’s mistakes in the field.

For India, the bowlers had mixed results. Hardik Pandya bowled with good control and took 1/29 in three overs. Shivam Dube picked up two wickets but gave away 33 runs. Bumrah was not at his best and went wicketless for 45 runs in four overs. Kuldeep Yadav got 1/31, while Varun Chakaravarthy kept things tight with 0/25.

Pakistan Finish at 171/5, India Chase 172

Farhan and Saim Ayub gave Pakistan a strong base with a 72-run stand for the second wicket. India’s spinners slowed the scoring rate in the middle overs, but Salman Agha and Faheem Ashraf lifted the innings at the end. Ashraf’s unbeaten 20 off 8 balls, including a last-ball six, pushed Pakistan to a strong total.

Quota player Shubman Gill dropped another simple catch.🤡#ShubmanGill #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/5zTqWH1rGW

— 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 ⁴⁵ ♛ (@ROHITHEGOAT45) September 21, 2025

See Also: [WATCH] Shivam Dube dismisses Sahibzada Farhan for 58 during IND vs PAK Super 4 clash of Asia Cup 2025

At the innings break, India need 172 runs from 120 balls to win. Live update: India require 172 in 20 overs.