Asia Cup: India commit two fielding blunders to give Pakistan lifeline; Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav miss easy catches

IND vs PAK: Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav miss easy catches

The Super Four clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan got off to a dramatic start at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. After being put in to bat by India captain Suryakumar Yadav, Pakistan changed their opening combination as Fakhar Zaman walked in with Sahibzada Farhan, instead of Saim Ayub.

Hardik Pandya bowled the opening over to Sahibzada Farhan who punched the first delivery to cover-point. After the shot Farhan immediately took his gloves off and called for the physio. The cameras showed some heavy taping across his right hand. That first ball struck him close to the handle and he must have felt some jarring as the ball thudded in.

One ball later, Farhan went for a shot across the line, against the swing and a thick edge flew to third man, where Abhishek Sharma was positioned. However, he misjudged the catch and spilled an early opportunity.

Abhishek Sharma drops a catch of Sahibzada Farhan in Super Fours of Asia Cup 2025. #AsiaCup2025 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/dd96Kd5cUS

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) September 21, 2025

Pandya, however, struck in his next over as Fakhar Zaman was caught-behind for 15(9). The ball moving away from the left-handed batter took a thick edge and Sanju Samson got his gloves underneath it right on time. The decision was referred to the third umpire, who after close examination ruled it in India's favour.

Although debate in the commentary continued, with ex-Pakistan bowlers claiming it had brushed the grass before settling inside the gloves.

#AsiaCupT20 | #PakVsInd

2ND CATCH DROP BY INDIA.

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- Kuldeep Yadav drops the catch of Saim Ayub. pic.twitter.com/PnF9whZ8DI

— Kshitij (@Kshitij45__) September 21, 2025

Meanwhile, three overs later Kuldeep Yadav spilled another easy opportunity, this time off Varun Chakaravarthy's bowling. Ayub, attempting a sweep against the mystery spinner, got a leading edge and the ball ballooned up in the sky. Kuldeep, who had enough time to settle underneath the ball and complete the catch, did exactly the same but unfortunately the ball popped out of his hands.

Pakistan unlike the group stage encounter got off to a good start and accumulated 55/1 in the powerplay overs.