India past Pakistan in grudge Asia Cup clash

DUBAI:

Defending champions India overpowered Pakistan by seven wickets in a politically-charged Asia Cup Group A fixture in Dubai on Sunday, as fans thronged the stadium despite weeks of boycott calls in India and simmering tensions between the two neighbours.

Pakistan's batting once again faltered badly, collapsing to 127 for nine in their allotted overs, before skipper Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 47 guided India to a comfortable victory with 25 balls to spare. The result booked India's place in the Super Four stage of the tournament.

Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded India's attack with figures of 3-18, ably supported by fellow spinner Axar Patel, who took 2-18. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah struck early blows, dismissing openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris cheaply.

Pakistan never recovered from the early setbacks as wickets fell at regular intervals. Sahibzada Farhan provided some resistance with 40 from 44 balls, hitting one four and three sixes, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 17 in a 39-run partnership.

But once Axar broke that stand, dismissing Zaman and skipper Salman Agha, the innings unravelled. Kuldeep's double strike in the 13th over, removing Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz off successive balls, left Pakistan reeling at 64 for six.

Shaheen Shah Afridi offered late fireworks with four sixes in an unbeaten 33 off 16 deliveries, ensuring Pakistan played out their 20 overs and crossed 120. Abrar Ahmed remained not out without scoring. Apart from Farhan and Afridi, no Pakistani batter crossed 20.

India's reply began briskly, with opener Abhishek Sharma smashing 31 off 13 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes, before miscuing Saim Ayub to long-off. Shubman Gill was stumped off Saim for 10, but Suryakumar steadied the chase alongside Tilak Varma.

The pair added 56 runs, Tilak making 31 before falling leg before to Saim, who finished with figures of 3-35. Yadav stayed to the end, sealing victory with a six, while Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 10.

The match was the first between the two sides since a brief military conflict in May. Calls for India to boycott the game had grown louder in recent weeks, with Hindu hardliners, former cricketers and sections of the public urging New Delhi to pull out.

But the Indian board stuck to its policy of playing Pakistan only in multinational events, not bilaterally. Inside the Dubai International Stadium, the political noise gave way to sporting passion. Despite sweltering conditions and many empty seats, large numbers of Indian and Pakistani supporters turned up, their flags and chants filling the 25,000-capacity venue.

"It's the politicians who destroy relations. Why boycott cricket? Let us enjoy the game," said Arun Tripathi, an Indian accountant working in Dubai. Pakistan-born Mohammad Javed, visiting from Japan, said: "We don't get to see cricket there, so we travel to watch these matches regardless of politics."

The sea of blue shirts easily outnumbered Pakistan's green in the stands. "We will win on the field as well as in the stands," said Puja Kulkarni, a student leading a 40-strong group from her college. Pakistani fan Ahmed Fayyaz responded defiantly: "One Pakistani is more powerful than 50 Indians."

India now have two wins from two and are nearly assured of progress to the Super Four, with their final group match against Oman to come. Pakistan face hosts United Arab Emirates next and remain in contention despite their defeat.

(WITH INPUT FROM AFP)