India hammered Pakistan by seven wickets in their Asia Cup group-stage match.
Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t filter his words as he criticized the Pakistan cricket team for their dismal display in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A fixture in Dubai on Sunday (September 14).
Pakistan’s innings was restricted to a paltry 127/9 in 20 overs after they won the toss and opted to bat first. Barring Sahibzada Farhan (40) and Shaheen Afridi (33), no other batter managed to cross the 30-run mark.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3-18) and all-rounder Axar Patel (2-18) led the charge, tightening the screws with stunning spells. Jasprit Bumrah (2-28), Varun Chakaravarthy (1-24) and Hardik Pandya (1-34) shared the remaining five scalps among them.
In reply, the Men in Blue made light work of the chase, reaching the target in 15.5 overs. While Abhishek Sharma stole the show with 13-ball 31 at the top, skipper Suryakumar Yadav finished the job with 37-ball 47*. Tilak Varma also contributed run-a-ball 31 before perishing.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin slammed Pakistan's senseless batting approach, saying that the Men in Green batted as if they were playing against a team like Oman.
"Apart from Saim Ayub, I don't think the Pakistan team has a lot of class. If we compare the batting of both sides, Abhishek Sharma stepped out first ball, used his feet against Shaheen Shah Afridi. In stark comparison, Mohammad Haris was rooted in crease trying to heave Jasprit Bumrah across the line, and the ball went straight up. You cannot play such a shot against Bumrah, this is not the Oman team. You can hit bowlers like that, but it is not the same here," said Ashwin, before emphasizing Pakistan's lack of tactical awareness against the Indian bowling attack.
"Pakistan have also been tactically very, very poor. Even Hasan Nawaz was looking to hit without any foot movement. Look at Tilak Varma instead, he played the reverse sweep, scored through the off side, played the slog sweep. So, India tactically, technically, and strategically, are in a different league," he added.
On the contrary, Ashwin heaped praise on the Indian team, calling it the strongest side to play against Pakistan. He also acknowledged the IPL’s role in shaping players' ability to handle pressure in high-stake games.
"This is the strongest Indian T20 team that we have put on against Pakistan. That is the way I like to look at it. This is not explosive batting, but it is just unbelievably good, tactical, proper batting. Where did the Indian players get this exposure? Through the IPL. The players are used to playing shots under pressure now. It is a habit now," Ashwin remarked.
With two wins from as many matches, India sit on top of the Group A points table. With a place in the next round, the Super 4s, all but confirmed, they will take on Oman in their final group-stage match in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
The Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan side will now face hosts UAE in their final group-stage match on September 17 in Dubai.