India T20i Captain Suryakumar Yadav tried the excitement around the cricketrivality with Pakistan after he led his team to a six-wicket victory on their arch rivals in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match in Dubai, Sunday in Dubai.
India rode a flaring 74 of opener Abhishek Sharma while chasing a target of 172 in 18.5 overs, where they again refused to shake hands with their opponents.
It was India’s second victory in the Twenty20 tournament over Pakistan in a week after their collision of the group phase. It was also their 12th in 15 T20 internationals.
Asked if this dominance showed that the rivalry was declining, Suryakumar replied: “You must stop asking questions about the rivalry between India and Pakistan.
“I think, if two teams play 15-20 games, and if it is even, then it is a rivalry. 13-0, 10-1, I don’t know what the stat is, but this is no longer a rivalry.”
The last three T20 victories of Pakistan on India arrived in the Asia cup in Dubai in 2022.
India and Pakistan only play in multinational tournaments because their bilateral tires have been stuck since 2012 due to political tension.
Pakistan rode a brilliant 45-ball 58 from opener Sahibzada Farhan, but succeeded in 171-5 after the roming to 93-1 in 9.3 overs.
Suryakumar said that India played a better cricket when Abishek and Shubman Gill set up a fast 105 for the opening position in 9.5 overs.
“I think we were better than they (Pakistan), and also from a bowling point,” said Suryakumar. “The catchstripple percentage at this location is so high, and that is part of the game.” Suryakumar praised the talent of Sharma.
“He knows what is needed from him, what Bowlers are going to bowlen, that’s a plus for him. He learns with every game,” said Suryakumar of the 25-year-old left-handed person.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said his team had risen 15-20 runs.
“We still have to play a perfect game in this event,” said Agha, whose team then stands opposite Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
“After we were 91 out of 10 overs, we lost the way, but the feeling that 171 was still a challenging total.”
Agha acknowledged that his bowlers could not control the Indian openers.
“We have to play a perfect game, do well in all three departments,” said Agha. “We look forward to playing Sri Lanka in the next game.”
Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka with four wickets in their Super Four match in Dubai on Saturday.
