Former India player Aakash Chopra said that Pakistan’s batters struggled against India in the Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai because they just could not read the spinners as well. Chopra also added that the batters did try to attack India’s bowlers, but also looked clueless for the most part. India restricted Pakistan to 127-9 and then chased the total in 15.5 overs as well. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed 3-18, while Axar Patel picked up 2-18 in his four overs also.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra said, “If you are not reading spin from the hand to begin with… Yes, there will be talk about aggression and playing a different brand of cricket. But, spin will embarrass you. It’s not easy to put the ball in the gap, take singles and rotate strike. That can happen if you are reading the ball from the hand – your feet are moving nicely, you are getting in the right position.”

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“If you are searching which way the ball is going to turn and your first thought is to protect your wicket, because you have no idea, then singles are not going to come by. That exactly has happened with this Pakistan batting line-up. They just looked clueless. Initially, went too hard too soon… They were 42 in the first six overs after going hell for leather. In the next 10, I think they got 40-odd runs,” Aakash Chopra concluded.