Here’s how Suryakumar Yadav has fared against Pakistan in T20I cricket ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final

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The greatest rivalry in cricket reaches its zenith this Sunday, September 28, as India and Pakistan clash for the Asia Cup 2025 title at the Dubai International Stadium. This fixture is more than just a final; it is a momentous occasion, marking the first time in 41 years of the tournament’s history that these two arch-rivals have met in the summit clash.

After two dominant victories by the Men in Blue earlier in the competition, the final presents Pakistan with a high-stakes chance at redemption. The global audience is set for a thrilling spectacle, watching the fierce competitors battle for continental supremacy in a match that promises drama, passion, and historic significance. India’s T20I captain and middle-order ace, Suryakumar Yadav, has a mixed record against Pakistan, with moments of explosive brilliance interspersed with early dismissals.

1. October 24, 2021 (T20 World Cup, Dubai): 11 runs off 8 balls (SR 137.50) In his very first encounter against Pakistan on the world stage, Suryakumar Yadav came to the crease after the early loss of the openers. The team was under immense pressure following the opening burst from Shaheen Afridi. SKY tried to counter-attack immediately, hitting a boundary to get his innings going with a strike rate of nearly 138. However, his aggressive intent led to his downfall when he was caught behind off the bowling of Hasan Ali. His short cameo ended the possibility of a middle-order consolidation, forcing the rest of the team to rebuild cautiously.

2. August 28, 2022 (Asia Cup, Dubai): 18 runs off 18 balls (SR 100.00) This match saw a distinct change in SKY’s approach. Batting at a crucial juncture, he adopted a more measured style, matching the run-a-ball pace required to stabilize the innings. He looked to anchor the middle overs, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary rather than going for immediate big hits. However, just when he seemed to be setting himself up for the explosive finish, his innings was cut short by a brilliant piece of fast bowling from Naseem Shah, who dismissed him clean-bowled, forcing India to scramble for the remaining runs.

3. September 4, 2022 (Asia Cup Super 4, Dubai): 13 runs off 10 balls (SR 130.00) In this Super 4 encounter, Suryakumar again tried to inject momentum into the middle overs, playing at a healthy strike rate of 130. With the foundation set by the top order, he was expected to accelerate, playing his typical 360-degree shots. Unfortunately, his stay was brief. Attempting to clear the boundary, he mistimed a sweep shot off the spin of Mohammad Nawaz, resulting in a catch by Asif Ali. This quick dismissal was a blow to India’s momentum in a high-scoring chase, emphasizing his struggle to convert starts against the arch-rivals.

4. October 23, 2022 (T20 World Cup, Melbourne): 15 runs off 10 balls (SR 150.00) This was perhaps his most dynamic yet unfulfilled cameo against Pakistan. Playing in the epic encounter at the MCG, SKY walked in with India in a spot of bother. He immediately provided a counter-punch, scoring at a strike rate of 150, helping ease the pressure on Virat Kohli and the required run rate. His brief innings, which included two boundaries, demonstrated his ability to score freely on big stages. However, he was once again dismissed before he could unleash his full potential, caught by Rizwan off a fiery delivery from Haris Rauf, though his boundary hitting helped keep India in the chase.

5. June 9, 2024 (T20 World Cup, New York): 7 runs off 8 balls (SR 87.50) On a notoriously difficult New York pitch with unpredictable bounce, this was one of SKY’s most subdued international innings. The conditions dictated an approach focused on survival and singles rather than flair. He struggled to find his timing and the boundaries he is known for, ultimately falling victim to a crucial wicket. He was caught trying to attack a delivery from Haris Rauf, who secured his wicket for the second time in T20 World Cups, adding to the tension in a low-scoring thriller where every run was priceless.

6. September 14, 2025 (Asia Cup Group Stage, Dubai): 47* runs off 37 balls (SR 127.03) This innings stands out as Suryakumar’s best, highest score, and first major match-winning contribution against Pakistan. This innings was critical, showcasing a newfound maturity and control. Instead of relying solely on risky shots, he anchored the chase, played intelligent cricket, and rotated the strike efficiently. He managed the pressure beautifully, ensuring the team reached the target without further hiccups. His unbeaten 47 was instrumental in India’s victory, proving he can adapt and play the accumulator role when the situation demands it, and was the first time he remained Not Out against Pakistan.

7. September 21, 2025 (Asia Cup Super 4, Dubai): 0 runs off 3 balls (SR 0.00) The most recent encounter brought a disappointing result for the Indian skipper. After the openers set a massive platform in a 172-run chase, SKY came in with a chance to finish the game quickly. However, he fell for a rare duck, dismissed by pacer Haris Rauf for the third time in T20Is. This time, an attempted flick resulted in a leading edge that flew to deep third man, ending his innings prematurely and causing a brief wobble in the Indian chase before the lower middle order stabilized the innings to secure the win.

Also READ: Record of India vs Pakistan in the finals of multination tournaments

The Asia Cup 2025 final is the third installment of the India-Pakistan rivalry this tournament, with India holding a decisive 2-0 lead so far. Their first meeting in the group stage saw India register a commanding seven-wicket win. India’s bowling unit was instrumental, bundling out Pakistan for a meager 127 runs, which the Indian batters chased down with 25 balls to spare.

The Super 4 clash was a more competitive affair, but the result was the same. Pakistan set a target of 172, driven by a half-century from Sahibzada Farhan. However, the target was nullified by India’s explosive top-order, with opener Abhishek Sharma blasting a magnificent 74 off 39 balls. India ultimately cruised to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare. These two dominant wins have established India as the clear favourite for the final, placing immense psychological pressure on Pakistan to finally reverse the trend on the biggest stage.

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