India beaten Pakistan with an easy win of seven wickets in the high voltage match of the Asia Cup 2025.
However, the Indian team yet again failed to keep the spirit of the game alive.
During the post match ceremony skipper Suryakumar Yadav dragged politics into sports dedicating the win to Indian the armed forces.
They snubbed the handshakes with the men in green at the toss and after the match.
The Indian coach and former test cricketer Gautam Gambhir also referenced a “false-flag Operation Sindhoor” against Pakistan, citing the narrative of RSS-led Modi government.
In fact, the Pakistani armed forces not only shot down Indian drones that came into Pakistani territory, destroyed their check posts on the border, but also shot down their six fighter jets, including the French-made Rafale.
However, Pakistanis as usual were quick to bash the Indian teams’ lack of respect for the game and also reminded them of the historic Rafale downing episode in May.
One user shared on his X “India won the cricket but lost on the podium. What a pathetic victory speech by@surya_14kumar #noclass.”
Another netizen questioned “Surya Kumar Yadav dedicated the win to 6 – 0 Score?”
A user wondered whether Yadav’s speech was allowed under the ICC rules. “No post-match talk with the losing captain. The Indian captain brought up the India-Pakistan conflict in post-match presentation by referring to the Pahalgam attack & dedicating win to the Indian armed forces. So, is it allowed by the ICC code of conduct?”
For the unversed, Pakistan posted 127/9 on a surface that rewarded discipline more than brute force after opting to bat. Sahibzada Farhan held the innings together with 40 off 44, picking moments to attack and protecting his wicket when the ball gripped.
Shaheen Shah Afridi lifted the mood late with 33 off 16 and four clean strikes over the ropes.
That burst gave the bowlers something to work with and drew loud support from a packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Saim Ayub strikes thrice to test India’s chase
India reached 128/3 with 25 balls to spare, guided by Suryakumar Yadav’s calm 47 off 37*. Pakistan still forced mistakes. Saim Ayub delivered the standout spell, taking 3 for 35 and breaking rhythm at key moments.
His changes of pace and attacking fields showed clear planning and nerve.
Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma added 31 each, yet Pakistan’s ground fielding and energy kept pressure on singles and cut twos through the middle.
