India could not have asked for a better start in the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. After sending down a wide on the opening delivery, Hardik Pandya bounced back in style, removing Pakistan opener Saim Ayub on his very first legal ball.
The left-hander tried to free his arms with a cut shot off a short-of-length delivery outside off, but his timing went awry.
Standing alert at backward point, Jasprit Bumrah made no mistake in pouching the catch. Ayub, who has struggled against India in the past, walked back without troubling the scorers, registering another duck.
Hardik pandya dismissed Ghante ka Prince in 1st ball pic.twitter.com/z6ibmBl5Zq
— S.Bhai33 (@HPstanno1) September 14, 2025
With this early breakthrough, India drew first blood, giving Suryakumar Yadav’s men the perfect start to the much-anticipated contest.
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