World Champions India showed the UAE the difference in quality between them by skittling out the generous hosts for a paltry 57 runs in the Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday. Abhishek Sharma fell for 30 off 16 before India celebrated a 9-wicket win in just 4.3 overs. 

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav, the third spinner in the side, bagged 4/7, while part-timer Shivam Sube claimed 3/4. For the UAE, openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem made 22 and 19 respectively.

When Sharafu began by hitting Hardik Pandya for consecutive boundaries in the first over after Suryakumar Yadav won the toss, it never felt like India would be coming out to bat just an hour later.

Sanju Samson has been picked as the wicketkeeper batter for India's first match in the Asia Cup against the UAE on September 10, 2025. File photo: Manorama
Sanju Samson has been picked as the wicketkeeper batter for India's first match in the Asia Cup against the UAE on September 10, 2025. File photo: Manorama

But after Sharafu was clean-bowled by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker and Waseem was trapped leg before by Kuldeep, the UAE innings fell apart. No other batter scored in double digits; in fact, their scores read 2, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0, 2.

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There was a pleasant surprise as fan favourite Sanju Samson was included in the playing XI. But the Kerala star, who usually plays as opener, was not required to bat due to the low total that India chased.

There were doubts over Sanju's inclusion in the playing XI as Jitesh Sharma is regarded as a better candidate in a finisher role. It would be interesting to see if Sanju is retained in the squad for the big game against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

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Brief scores: UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Kuldeep Yadav 4/7, Shivam Dube 3/4) lost to India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20 not out)

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