Asia Cup 2025 : Abhishek Sharma pulls off a sensational catch to remove Saim Ayub in IND vs PAK Super 4 game

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India and Pakistan faced off in a high-voltage Super Fours encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21, 2025. In the 14th match of the Asia Cup 2025 India chose to field under lights as dew threatened to aid batting later. Pakistan’s openers started aggressively but a moment of fielding brilliance changed the game’s trajectory.

The turning point arrived in the 11th over when Shivam Dube bowled a back-of-length delivery on off stump to Saim Ayub. Ayub went on one leg and top-edged the ball towards deep backward square. Abhishek Sharma sprinted in from the boundary rope despite missing two earlier chances. He slid forward, clutched the ball with both hands inches from the turf and rose to roar in celebration. That catch broke Pakistan’s second wicket stand of 93 and handed Dube his first Asia Cup scalp as he finished with figures of 0.3-0-2-1 at an economy of 5.00.

Ayub fell for 21 off 17 balls with one four and one six at a strike rate of 123.52. His dismissal halted Pakistan’s momentum just as they looked set to post a daunting total. Abhishek’s catch underlined India’s top-class fielding and shifted pressure firmly onto the visitors.

Abhishek Sharma pulls off a stunner 😱

Shivam Dube gets his man, Saim Ayub!

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Also WATCH: Sanju Samson’s stunning low catch ends Fakhar Zaman’s stay in IND vs PAK Super 4 clash

Pakistan began strongly as Sahibzada Farhan and Ayub added 50 inside the powerplay. Farhan raced to a 34-ball fifty featuring five boundaries and three sixes before falling for 56 off 41 balls. India’s spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel then exploited the slower conditions.

At the halfway mark Pakistan were 103 for 2 after 12 overs at a run rate of 8.58 with five extras including two no-balls and three wides. Fakhar Zaman had departed for 15 off 9 balls bringing Mohammad Haris, Salman Agha and Shaheen Afridi into focus for the late assault. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya had applied early pressure combining for one wicket each and economy rates below 8.00.

As dew intensified India’s pace and spin options looked poised to defend a par score. Ayub and Farhan faced the daunting task of rebuilding under lights. India will fancy their chances chasing any total under floodlights after showcasing superior fielding standards in Dubai.

Abhishek ’s stunning catch proved decisive in a match defined by fine margins and high drama. His moment of magic will remain the highlight of Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours action and could prove the difference between finalists.

Also READ: “Abhi to chalu hua hai…”: Suryakumar Yadav comes up with a witty reply ahead of India’s Super 4 game against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025