India beat Pakistan by six wickets in Asia Cup rematch, handshake snub continues

India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in their Asia Cup Super Four clash on Sunday and again refused to shake hands with their rivals, keeping the controversy from last week alive.

Chasing 172, India crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium.

Opener Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering 74 off 39 balls, smashing five sixes and six fours. His 105-run stand with Shubman Gill put India in control before Pakistan fought back. Gill scored 47 off 28 balls before Faheem Ashraf bowled him to break the partnership.

India then lost captain Suryakumar Yadav for a duck to Haris Rauf, and Sharma soon after to Abrar Ahmed, slipping to 123-3 in the 13th over. But Tilak Varma anchored the chase with an unbeaten 30 off 19, hitting two sixes and two fours. He was supported by Hardik Pandya, who remained seven not out.

Sanju Samson added 13 before Haris dismissed him to finish with 2-26, the best figures among Pakistan’s bowlers. Faheem and Abrar picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 171-6, their highest total batting first against India in the tournament. Sahibzada Farhan hit 58 off 45, while Saim Ayub added 21 in a 72-run partnership that gave Pakistan a strong platform.

India's Suryakumar Yadav reacts. Reuters

But their innings slowed dramatically after the halfway stage, with a 39-ball stretch without a boundary. Shivam Dube took 2-33, removing both set batters, while Varun Chakravarthy kept the pressure with 0-25 in his four overs. Faheem’s late 20 off eight balls added respectability to the total.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav had won the toss and opted to field, saying, “Looks a nice track and we will like to chase. Just another game, keep emotions calm.”

India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (C) walks after the toss as his Pakistan's counterpart Salman Agha (R) watches before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 21, 2025. AFP

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said it was “a new challenge” for his side, which made two changes to the XI.

The match carried tension beyond the scoreboard. India had also refused handshakes after beating Pakistan in the group stage, their first meeting since a brief military conflict in May. The Pakistan Cricket Board had unsuccessfully sought the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, who remains in charge.

With the latest snub, cricket’s fiercest rivalry again ended not only with runs and wickets but also with lingering diplomatic undertones.