During India’s opening Asia Cup 2025 clash against the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan
made a perfect on-air prediction. Even before Jasprit Bumrah had released the ball, Pathan predicted a yorker, and seconds later, the ace pacer executed it to perfection, shattering opener Alishan Sharafu's stumps.
India, under skipper Suryakumar Yadav, finally broke India’s 15-match losing streak at the toss and opted to field first. UAE’s opening pair of Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem started well, smashing boundaries off Hardik Pandya and putting the Indian bowlers on the back foot. But star speedster Bumrah, bowling his second over in the powerplay, produced his trademark yorker to draw the first blood. When Bumrah came to bowl, Pathan, on commentary, read the situation brilliantly and predicted a yorker, and seconds later, the 31-year-old delivered a pitch-perfect yorker.
"This is a big over, this could be the Indian team's comeback over. That is the reason they have handed Jasprit Bumrah another over in the powerplay. One more slower one, he is trying to set the batter. But whenever Bumrah is in full rhythm, he goes for a yorker. And he definitely has gone for it. Spoke about the yorker and he has produced one. What the situation required, Bumrah made sure to deliver, and what a brilliant yorker it is," Pathan said on air.
Pathan Saab saw it coming… Bumrah made it happen! 🎙️🔥
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 10, 2025
Watch #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 from Sept 9-28, LIVE on the Sony Sports Network TV Channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork | @IrfanPathan pic.twitter.com/tqRNFZyTOF
India produces their fastest-ever T20I chase
The UAE opener walked back after adding 22 runs to the tally. The breakthrough triggered the UAE’s collapse, as the team was bundled out for just 57 in 13.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, bagging four wickets for seven runs, while Shivam Dube chipped in with three. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel also contributed, as the UAE registered the lowest-ever T20I total against India.
India’s chase began with openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill smashing 48 runs inside four overs. Abhishek’s quickfire 30 was followed by Gill and Suryakumar finishing off the target in just 4.3 overs, handing the Men in Blue a nine-wicket win with 93 balls to spare, their fastest-ever T20I chase.
