Dubai: If India wanted to send a message in their Asia Cup 2025 opener, they couldn’t have scripted it better.
In a match that lasted just 106 balls in total, India ruthlessly dismantled the United Arab Emirates by 9 wickets, chasing down a target of 58 inside 5.3 overs - a blitz that now ranks among the shortest completed T20 Internationals in history.
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The game was over even before many fans had taken their seats.
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Clinical India, Crumbling UAE
The Dubai International Stadium, known for its high-octane matchups, witnessed something entirely different - a mismatch that bordered on merciless. UAE showed some initial promise, putting up a 26-run opening stand, but the moment Kuldeep Yadav found his rhythm, it all went downhill.
From 26/0 to 57 all out, the hosts lost 10 wickets for 31 runs in a span of overs that saw Shivam Dube pick up 3 wickets, and the rest shared among Kuldeep and Hardik Pandya.
What was supposed to be a competitive contest quickly turned into a one-sided demolition.
Chase That Barely Lasted a Coffee Break
India’s chase? More of a sprint. Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill came out like they had a dinner reservation they didn’t want to miss. With clean, powerful striking, they polished off the chase in just 5.3 overs, leaving UAE stunned and the crowd thrilled.
This marks India’s fastest T20I win by balls remaining and one of the biggest wins ever by a full-member side in T20Is.
Record Watch: Numbers That Tell the Story
| Rank | Match | Venue | Year | Total Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands vs Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 2014 | 93 |
| 2 | Oman vs England | North Sound | 2024 | 99 |
| 3 | Netherlands vs Sri Lanka | Sharjah | 2021 | 103 |
| 4 | UAE vs India | Dubai | 2025 | 106 |
Winning with Most Balls to Spare (Full-Member Sides)
| Rank | Team | Opponent | Venue | Year | Balls Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | Oman | North Sound | 2024 | 101 |
| 2 | India | UAE | Dubai | 2025 | 93 |
| =3 | Sri Lanka | Netherlands | Chattogram | 2014 | 90 |
| =3 | Zimbabwe | Mozambique | Nairobi | 2024 | 90 |
What’s Next? India vs Pakistan, September 14
With this win, India not only take two points but also a serious amount of net run rate (NRR) advantage. All eyes now shift to the blockbuster showdown on September 14, when they face Pakistan in what promises to be the most-watched match of the tournament.
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