India continued their dominance over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, defeating their arch-rivals for the second time in just two weeks. The first Super 4 clash in Dubai saw the Men in Blue chase down a target of 172 with ease, securing a six-wicket win and extending their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Pakistan, while showing improvement compared to last week’s encounter, could not withstand the onslaught of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
The opening duo provided a blistering start, breaking the back of Pakistan’s bowling attack. Although Salman Ali Agha’s bowlers managed to pick a few wickets in the middle overs, they could not sustain the momentum. India’s chase was wrapped up with seven balls to spare, putting them within touching distance of an Asia Cup final berth.
The back-to-back defeats have sparked widespread criticism in Pakistan’s cricketing circles. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar did not hold back, lambasting both the team selection and the captaincy.
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Speaking to Tapmad, Shoiab Akhtar said, “I really don’t understand what the management is thinking. Wrong decisions are being made repeatedly. The middle order isn’t planned properly, and the powerplay isn’t being utilized effectively.” Akhtar further criticized the team’s bowling strategy, pointing out poor line and length execution. “The bowlers were not used wisely. There was no coordination. It started with a bad bouncer, and it only got worse,” he added.
Sohaib Akhtar:
“Salman Ali Agha is the weakest link in the team.”pic.twitter.com/XsQiQpYpSP
— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) September 22, 2025
The former speedster also questioned Salman Ali Agha’s leadership and contributions. “Salman ko khud nahi pata wo kya kaptaani kar raha hai. He is the weakest link. Does he even deserve the spot he is playing at? He could be a good player, but does he perform like Tilak Varma or Hardik Pandya? On top of that, he takes wrong decisions that further hurt the team,” Akhtar said.
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He also called out the management for ignoring potential match-winners. “Players who can actually win matches—like Hasan Nawaz or Wasim Junior—are left out, while those who contribute little are given opportunities. The team is paying the price for repeated mistakes, and ultimately, the blame lies with the management,” Shoaib Akhtar concluded.
The defeat leaves Pakistan searching for answers as India continues to assert their dominance in the Super 4 stage, highlighting the growing gap between the two sides in this high-voltage rivalry.
