Pakistan edges India by 4 wickets in Asia Cup thriller in Dubai
Rizwan's unbeaten 86 and a clinical death-overs spell from Shaheen Afridi secured a famous chase under the lights at Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan chased down 247 with seven balls to spare to defeat India by four wickets in the Asia Cup Super Four stage on Sunday night, igniting wild celebrations from Dubai to Karachi.
A composed 86 not out from Mohammad Rizwan, anchored at one end while wickets fell around him, proved the difference in a chase that ebbed and flowed through both innings.
How it unfolded
India, asked to bat first, posted 246 for 8 off their 50 overs. Shubman Gill top-scored with 71, before a tight middle-overs spell from Shadab Khan (3/42) pegged the innings back.
Pakistan's reply began nervously — Babar Azam falling for 12 inside the first powerplay. But a 96-run third-wicket partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel (54) steadied the chase.
The match turned in the 38th over: needing 78 from 78 balls, Iftikhar Ahmed's 26-ball 41 — including three sixes off Kuldeep Yadav — flipped the required rate.
Shaheen seals it
With Pakistan needing 19 off 18 balls and only three wickets in hand, Shaheen Afridi walked out and clubbed Mohammed Siraj for a six over deep midwicket. The crowd, evenly split between blue and green in the stands, rose as one. Pakistan finished it in the 49th over.
What's next
Pakistan's win sets up a likely final against Sri Lanka next Sunday, also in Dubai. India, meanwhile, must beat both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to retain hope of reaching the title decider.
Captain Babar Azam, speaking after the match: "We've talked all tournament about staying calm in the chase. Tonight, Rizwan and Iftikhar showed exactly what that looks like."
