India are set to face Pakistan once again in the 2025 Asia Cup, this time in the Super Fours stage. India were utterly dominant in the first match between the two sides, with their spinners putting the Pakistani batsmen in a tangle before their own finished the job.
The last time these two sides faced off against each other at this stage of the tournament was in 2023, when it was being played in the ODI format. Toss for that match had happened on on September 10 and it ended on September 11, with that reserve day being a cause for controversy.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam had won the toss and chosen to bowl first in Colombo, his India counterpart Rohit Sharma said he would’ve chosen to bat anyhow. It was looking bright and sunny with Rohit and Shubman Gill made a strong start for India. Both scored half-centuries and put up an opening stand of 121 runs before Rohit fell to Shadab Khan on 56 off 49 balls. Virat Kohli walked out after that and, well, he never left except when the umpires led the players off the field when the weather turned treacherous soon thereafter. Gill fell in the very next over to Shaheen Shah Afridi on 58 off 52, which led to KL Rahul entering the field and, like Kohli, never leaving after that.
Rain made an appearance after the first ball of the 25th over and the players never managed to return to the field on that day. Things were looking rather ominous on the first half of the reserve day as well and play started more than an hour and a half later than scheduled. But, no overs were lost and well, Kohli and Rahul made the Pakistani bowlers sweat.
The pair went on to break the record for India’s highest ever partnership in an Asia Cup match, finishing unbeaten on 233 off 194 balls. Kohli was not out on 122 off 94 balls while Rahul stayed unbeaten on 111 off 106. India gave Pakistan a target of 357 to chase. It was a daunting total and Pakistan wilted. Kuldeep Yadav finished with figures of 5/25 in eight overs and Pakistan were all out for a paltry 128, giving India a 228-run win.
