India’s much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium got off to a dream start for the Men in Blue. Pakistan skipper opted to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision backfired almost instantly. Hardik Pandya, entrusted with the new ball, struck gold on the very first legal delivery of the match.
Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub, under immense pressure to deliver, attempted a cover drive but only managed to hand a simple catch to Jasprit Bumrah at point. The left-hander was left stunned, walking back for his second successive golden duck in the tournament.
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For India, it was a double delight. Not only did they get the early breakthrough, but it also came on Suryakumar Yadav’s 35th birthday—a day when the Indian camp already looked upbeat. The dismissal sparked huge celebrations among fans, particularly because Ayub had been backed strongly by Pakistan’s cricket experts ahead of the game.
HARDIK PANDYA 👏👏
Saim ayub 🤡 came prepared to hit sixes in bumrah bowling
But hardik has different plans 💀#AsiaCup2025 #INDvsPAK #OperationSindoor #INDvsPAK #India pic.twitter.com/jtqRKskhTN— $undhar (@HemaSun24843198) September 14, 2025
0.1
*WICKET💥*
Hardik Pandya to Saim Ayub, out Caught by Bumrah!! *Saim Ayub c Bumrah b Hardik Pandya 0(1)🎳🎯* pic.twitter.com/f5gfwRWiZK— Habib Hussain (@FmMonstarQTA) September 14, 2025
Former Pakistan seamer Tanvir Ahmed, in fact, had made a bold prediction before the clash. Speaking after Pakistan’s earlier game against Oman, Ahmed claimed that Saim Ayub would smash Bumrah for six sixes in the Asia Cup. Instead, the irony couldn’t have been sharper—Ayub fell to Pandya, with Bumrah himself completing the catch.
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Adding to the drama, Ayub had faced questions about Bumrah in the pre-match press conference. He cleverly sidestepped the issue, admitting that every bowler posed a challenge but stressing that his focus was on helping Pakistan win. Unfortunately for him, those words didn’t translate on the field.
With back-to-back golden ducks, Ayub now finds himself under heavy criticism, joining an unwanted list of players struggling to handle the pressure of India-Pakistan encounters.
