Asia Cup 2025: 'Pakistan reminded me of Popatwadi team' - Sunil Gavaskar on India's convincing win

Published - 15 Sept 2025, 10:39 IST | Updated - 15 Sept 2025, 11:05 IST

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed Pakistan after their seven-wicket defeat at the hands of India in their Asia Cup 2025 group-stage clash at the Dubai International Stadium. Following the game, Gavaskar called Pakistan a weak team.

The game began with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat. However, India’s bowlers kept Pakistan on the back foot from the very start. Kuldeep Yadav finished with figures of 3/18, while Axar Patel (2/18) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/28) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. Pakistan’s batters struggled to rotate strike, going 63 balls without scoring, and eventually being restricted to 127/9. Only Sahibzada Farhan (40 off 43) and a late cameo from Shaheen Afridi (33* off 16) provided some fight from that end

In reply, India came out all guns blazing. Abhishek Sharma took on Afridi in the very first over, while Tilak Varma chipped in with a notable contribution. Suryakumar Yadav anchored the chase with an unbeaten 47, guiding India home with 25 balls to spare. The win extended India’s head-to-head dominance over Pakistan in T20Is to 11-3. Following the match, Gavaskar reacted to Pakistan’s lacklustre performance.

“This did not look like the Pakistan cricket team to me. It looked more like a Popatwadi team. I have followed the Pakistan cricket team for decades. One of my earliest cricketing memories is running from Churchgate station to the Wankhede Stadium to watch the legendary Hanif Mohammad play. This is not the same team. I don’t think they will be able to challenge other teams too much,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network after the match.

Sunny G: No chill edition 🤭🔥Agree with his take on Pakistan? Watch the #DPWorldAsiaCup2025, from Sept 9-28, 7 PM onwards, LIVE on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #INDvPAK

Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win over Pakistan to Armed Forces

Meanwhile, the fixture was the first meeting between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, which had heightened tensions between the two countries. The political tensions were evident from the very start, with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav choosing not to engage in the customary handshake at the toss. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in alignment with the Indian government, had decided to refrain from handshakes as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the attack.

After the game, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal protest, calling India’s behaviour against sportsmanship. Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, even skipped the post-match presentation ceremony as a mark of dissent.