Asia Cup 2025: Kuldeep Yadav's Triple Strike Leaves Pakistan Reeling at 7 Down Against India

Asia Cup 2025:- In a thrilling Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai on Sunday, September 14, 2025, Kuldeep Yadav turned the game in India's favor by picking up three crucial wickets, including two in a single over, as Pakistan slumped to seven wickets down. The Indian bowling attack, led by Kuldeep, dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup after they opted to bat first.

Axar Patel struck early, dismissing Fakhar Zaman and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, while Hardik Pandya set the tone by removing Saim Ayub for a golden duck in the first over. Jasprit Bumrah joined the party, claiming Mohammad Haris in the second over. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a gritty 40 off 44 balls, but the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on.

India retained their unchanged XI, featuring a single specialist pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, supported by all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. The spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy proved lethal on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch, described by Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha as slow. Pakistan also fielded the same side that triumphed over Oman in their Group A opener.

At the toss, Salman Ali Agha elected to bat, aiming to post a competitive total. "It’s a slow wicket, and we want to put runs on the board. We’ve been here for over 20 days and are used to the conditions," he said. Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was content to bowl first, noting, "It’s a nice wicket, better to bat on at night with some dew expected. We’re happy with the same team."

India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (w), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (w), Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed.