Fans were furious with Pakistan’s middle-order over its failure to captialise on the momentum given by the opening pair in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Following the opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman’s 84-run stand in 9.3 overs, the middle-order collapsed, with Pakistan reduced to 133 for six in 16.1 overs.
Other than Farhan’s 37-ball 57 and Fakhar’s 46, no other batter could stay at the crease for longer to lift Pakistan to a fighting total.
Pakistan are taking on India in the final after facing consecutive defeats against them in the previous two games of the ongoing tournament.
Fans had pinned their hopes on opening batter Sahibzada Farhan to fire in the all-important game.
The right-handed batter did not disappoint as he looked in supreme touch early in the innings, hitting Jasprit Bumrah for 12 runs in the fourth over.
“Sahibzada owned Bumrah like no one does,” a fan wrote on Farhan’s battle with the Indian seamer.
Several fans heaped praise on Farhan for his complete dominance over the Indian seamer.
“FAB 4 and so on, many world class batters have failed to play Jasprit Bumrah. – But a boy from Charsadda Sahibzada Farhan has taken him for cleaners,” a fan wrote.
Another was of the view that the curator provided a batting pitch for the final, and Pakistan must eye a 200-run total.
“ABSOLUTELY BATTING PARADISE THIS. GOT TO GET 200,” the fan wrote.
Pakistan came under pressure when Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris fell in the quick session.
Fans began raising concerns that the national side would come under pressure following quick wickets — including that of settled Fakhar.
The collapse left fans disappointed as they slammed the national side’s batting performance in the crucial game.
