The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between India and Pakistan started with a controversy as Hardik Pandya got the early breakthrough for the defending champions at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The fast-bowling all-rounder picked up Fakhar Zaman’s wicket in the third over, but his dismissal became the centre of a heated discussion.
During the third over of the innings, Hardik Pandya rolled his fingers across the ball to deliver a clever off-cutter. Fakhar, who managed to get a good start scoring 15 off 9 balls with three boundaries, attempted to steer it but only managed a faint edge through to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.
Samson dived forward to pick the catch low to the ground. Soon after Samson's catch, the on-field umpire asked for a review. The replays were inconclusive at first, showing the ball perilously close to the turf. The third umpire asked for multiple angles before eventually deeming there was enough evidence to confirm the catch was clean. The umpire passed his verdict in favour of India and Zaman walked back to the dressing room.
Soon after his dismissal, former India cricketer Vivek Razdan said that it was a clear catch because Samson's fingers were clearly visible under the ball.
Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan quipped, “Ungliya nahi dikh rahi aapko? (Can’t you see the fingers?)”, referring to Samson’s fingers clearly under the ball at the point of completion as quoted by TOI.
Coming back to the match, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to field against Pakistan and the Mumbai batter again refused to shake hands with Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha. This is the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 that India and Pakistan are facing each other. Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets to seal their Super Four berth.
India vs Pakistan playing XIs
India's playing XI vs Pakistan: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pakistan's playing XI vs India: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.