Pakistan celebrated a new batting milestone on Sunday during their ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 match against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The team posted 171 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs, their highest-ever T20 International score against India when batting first.
Before this, Pakistan’s best first-innings score against India was 159 in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne. The fresh record now highlights Pakistan’s steady improvement in high-pressure games.
The innings began with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman opening the batting. Although Zaman departed early after making a quick 15 runs, Farhan anchored the innings.
He built a strong 72-run stand with Saim Ayub who contributed 21 before falling in the 11th over. Farhan carried on to score a brilliant 58 from 45 balls striking five fours and three sixes.
Middle-order contributions also played a key role. Hussain Talat chipped in with 10 while captain Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz added a valuable 34-run partnership that kept the momentum alive.
Nawaz made 21 from 19 balls and Agha stayed unbeaten with 17. The finishing touch came from Faheem Ashraf who smashed 20 off just eight deliveries including two sixes to push Pakistan past the 170 mark.
On the bowling side, India’s Shivam Dube picked up two wickets with Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya claiming one each.
This performance not only set a new record but also boosted Pakistan’s confidence in a rivalry where every run matters.
