In a thrilling Group B clash, Bangladesh kept their tournament alive with a close victory.
Afghanistan fought hard during the chase, but disciplined bowling at the death helped Bangladesh seal the win.
This result means Bangladesh are still in contention for a Super 4s spot, while Afghanistan’s qualification chances are shaky.
India vs Pakistan – India won by 7 wickets (14 Sept, Dubai)
This was one of the most anticipated games of the Asia Cup, with political and cricketing tension at its peak.
Pakistan posted 127/9 in their 20 overs, struggling against India’s sharp bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy were particularly effective in restricting the run flow.
India’s chase was steady:
Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 47 (anchoring the innings).
Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma provided solid contributions in the middle order.
India reached the target with 4.1 overs to spare, winning comfortably by 7 wickets.
Other Matches & Group Dynamics
Sri Lanka, UAE, and Oman have also been in action, making the group stages very competitive.
India looks strong with back-to-back wins, while Pakistan is under pressure after their loss.
Bangladesh’s victory has opened up Group B, making the qualification race tighter.
⚠️ Off-Field Controversies
No Handshakes Between India & Pakistan
Before and after the India vs Pakistan clash, players from both sides skipped the usual handshakes.
This decision was reportedly influenced by political tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The absence of the handshake sparked heated debate across media and social platforms.
Pakistan’s Dispute with the Match Referee
Pakistan raised objections against Andy Pycroft, the match referee, accusing him of mishandling the handshake controversy.
Some reports even suggested that Pakistan threatened to withdraw from the tournament if their concerns were not addressed.
This has put added strain on tournament organizers and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Suryakumar Yadav’s Tribute & Backlash
After India’s win over Pakistan, captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to victims of the Pahalgam attack.
While many Indian fans applauded the gesture, it sparked backlash in Pakistan and some other cricketing circles, who called it politically motivated.
The tribute has further fueled the already heated political narrative around the tournament.
🌟 Players & Rankings
Varun Chakaravarthy Becomes No. 1 T20I Bowler
The mystery spinner from India has climbed to the top of ICC T20I bowling rankings for the first time.
His tight spells in the Asia Cup, especially against Pakistan, have been crucial.
This is a big moment for Chakaravarthy, who was once seen as an IPL specialist but has now proven his worth on the international stage.
Reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for India’s upcoming clash against Oman.
Arshdeep Singh, who has been out for a while, is expected to return to the playing XI.
India is looking to balance player workload with the T20 World Cup 2026 cycle in mind.
Abhishek Sharma’s Rise
The young opener has impressed in his first Asia Cup, giving India quick starts alongside Shubman Gill.
His aggressive knock against UAE placed him alongside Rohit Sharma in an exclusive list of Indian openers with rapid T20I runs in Asia Cup history.
His form could be vital for India in the knockout stages.
🔮 What’s Next?
Super 4s race heating up: India looks almost certain to qualify, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are fighting hard for spots.
Upcoming fixtures will determine if minnows like UAE or Oman can cause an upset.
Political angle: Off-field controversies may continue to overshadow cricketing moments, especially if India and Pakistan face each other again in the Super 4s or the final.
