India cruised to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in their tense second Asia Cup meeting in Dubai, chasing 172 with seven balls to spare.
Abhishek Sharma starred with 74 from 39 balls, sharing a blistering 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill (47). Tilak Varma sealed India’s seventh consecutive win against Pakistan across formats with a six to finish on 30 not out.
Pakistan posted 171-5, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 off 45 balls, but a mid-innings slump and disciplined bowling from Shivam Dube (2-33) proved costly. Farhan’s gun-firing celebration after reaching fifty added to the charged atmosphere.
Tensions flared throughout the match. The captains avoided a handshake at the toss, and neither side exchanged handshakes at the end, echoing last week’s snub following recent military conflict between the two nations. Heated exchanges between players—particularly between Abhishek and Haris Rauf—highlighted the intensity.
Pakistan next face Sri Lanka on Tuesday, while India take on Bangladesh on Wednesday. A potential rematch in Sunday’s final looms if both finish in the top two of the Super Four group.
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