India continued their dominance over Pakistan in the Asia Cup, winning both contests and extending their unbeaten streak against their neighbours to seven matches. The gulf in quality between the two teams has become increasingly evident, with India outperforming Pakistan in talent, fitness, and application, especially in white-ball cricket.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh attributed Pakistan’s struggles to a lack of leadership and responsibility among their experienced players. While Pakistan attempted psychological tactics on the field, India’s superior performance with bat and ball proved decisive.
Harbhajan specifically called out Pakistan’s senior bowlers, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, who tried to intimidate India’s openers. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, however, dominated the pitch, putting together a 105-run partnership. “If your experienced players are only shouting and talking, and not delivering with the ball or bat, you’ll see the results they are getting,” Harbhajan said on Sports Today.
During the second innings in Dubai, Rauf also taunted Indian fans and engaged in verbal spats with Gill and Sharma, while Afridi conceded 40 runs without taking a wicket. Harbhajan dismissed the on-field chatter as irrelevant, emphasizing that India would respond with skill: “Let them talk, we will talk with the bat and ball, and we will answer when required the best.”