Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa made a great start in the Norway Chess Tournament here on Tuesday, defeating Firouzja Alireza of France in the Armageddon match in the first round.

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After an easy draw in normal time control, R Praggnanadhaa got 10 minutes playing with white pieces while Alireza got seven but the condition was that they had to win because in case of a draw, the player playing with black pieces would get extra points. After this, Praggnanandhaa performed brilliantly and registered victory. 

In the men's and women's categories, all the matches were tied under classical time control and six Armageddon matches had to be played for the results.

World number one player Magnus Carlsen, after playing a draw with defending world champion Ding Liren in the classical game in 14 moves, maintained his upper hand by drawing the Armageddon game in 68 moves.

Hikaru Nakamura defeated compatriot American Fabiano Caruana in the Armageddon match.

After the first round, Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen and Nakamura are jointly leading with 1.5 points while Alireza, Liren and Caruana are half a point behind them.

Under Classical Time Control, each bet won gets three points, whereas in Armageddon bet, the winner gets 1.5 points and the loser gets one point.

In the women's category too, all three games of classical time control between six players were drawn. Koneru Humpy, playing with black pieces in the Armageddon game, scored one and a half points by holding Pia Cramling of Sweden to a draw.

R Vaishali, however, could only score one point against women's world champion Wenjun Ju, while China's TIngjie Lei defeated Ukraine's Anna Muzychuk in the Armageddon match.

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Results Round 1

Men: 

R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 1.5) beat Firouzja Alireza (Fra) 1.5-1; Ding Liren (Chn, 1) lost to Magnus Carlsen (1.5) 1-1.5; Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 1) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 1.5) 1-1.5. 

Women: 

Pia Cramling (Swe, 1) lost to Koneru Humpy (Ind, 1.5) 1-1.5; Wenjun Ju (Chn, 1.5) beat R Vaishali (Ind, 1) 1.5-1; Anna Muzychuk (Ukr, 1) lost to Tingjie Lei (Chn, 1.5) 1-1.5.

T20 cricket is one of the toughest formats to bowl for any bowler. With high-quality bats, shorter grounds, flatter pitches it has been a tough place for bowlers around the globe. However, some bowlers have found it easy to take wickets as the batsmen are willing to take more risks. Arshdeep Singh has emerged as one of the best in T20Is within two years of his debut. He is now the bowler with most T20I wickets for India.

Top 4: Most wickets in T20I for India

#1 Arshdeep Singh: 100 T20 International Wickets

Since his debut in 2022, Arshdeep Singh has made himself as one of the best white ball bowlers. The left-arm pacer is now the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket among Indians. 

The highest wicket-taker of 2024 T20 World Cup has the ability to swing the new ball. He can also follow that up with Yorkers and variations at the death as well. 

In 64 matches he now has taken 100 wickets. Arsdheep has an average of 18.49 along with a 8.31 economy rate in T20I cricket.

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#2 Hardik Pandya: 97 T20 International Wickets

Hardik Pandya claimed his 97th T20I wicket during India’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash against Pakistan in Dubai, moving past Yuzvendra Chahal into second place on India’s all-time list of most T20I wickets, behind Arshdeep Singh.He finished with figures of 1/29 after his three-over spell. 

The 31-year-old has 97 scalps in 118 matches at 26.63, and stands just three away from becoming just the second Indian to take 100 T20I wickets after Arshdeep Singh, who achieved the feat against Oman. Hardik also has 15 wickets in eight innings against Pakistan, the most by a bowler in the rivalry clash in T20Is. 

#3 Yuzvendra Chahal: 96 T20 International Wickets

Chahal, the leg-spinner, is one of the most clever bowlers in world cricket right now. With his experience in Chess, it is quite obvious that he outfox the batsman easily to get wickets. 

Chahal has taken 96 wickets in his 80 T20 international matches. He was also the first Indian bowler to pick a 5-wicket haul in a T20 international game. His bowling average of 25.09 in T20Is speaks volumes for his wicket-taking ability.

However, recently he has found it hard to find a place in the Indian team. 

#4 Jasprit Bumrah : 92 T20 International Wickets

Probably the best Indian pacer of all time, Jasprit Bumrah is a gift of IPL to Indian cricket. His death-bowling skill and game reading ability are second to none. He is a blessing for any captain in the shortest format of the game. 

Bumrah can come at any stage of the game and take a wicket without the batters trying to attack him. The 2024 T20 World Cup winner has taken 92 T20I wickets in just 73 games. He has an outstanding average of 18.16 along with his stunning economy rate of 6.36. 

Read Also | Most T20 wickets among Indian bowlers

#5 Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 90 T20 International Wickets

Once Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the bowler with most T20I wickets for India. Though Kumar has not played a single game for India since 2022, when bowlers like Arshdeep Singh was brought in the team.

The medium has taken 90 T20 international wickets in 87 games with an outstanding economy rate of 6.96. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also the first Indian player to take five-wicket hauls in all formats of the game.

With age, Bhuvneshwar Kumar might find it tough to make a return to the Indian T20I squad, but with his accuracy, he still can be an asset for the team.

The mega clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has been placed and India beat Pakistan in both group stage and super four matches so easily. Looking at the tournament record, both teams have played 20 matches against each other. Out of these, India have won 12 while Pakistan have claimed 6 games. However, in the last 10 years, the rivalry has become one-sided, where Pakistan managed to win only once in seven showdowns.

So, let's have a look at the bowlers with most wickets in India vs Pakistan matches in Asia Cup in both ODI and T20I formats.

Also Read: Most Runs in India vs Pakistan Matches in Asia Cup (ODI+T20I)

Most Wickets in India vs Pakistan Matches (ODI+T20I)

5. Saeed Ajmal | 8 Wickets

Saeed Ajmal was one of the key spinners of Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Batters would struggle to score in front of him. Meanwhile, against India, Ajmal has taken 8 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 24.00 with a brilliant economy rate of 4.92.

In addition, Ajmal also played a key role in Pakistan’s win in 2012. He was one of the most reliable players on the team during the crucial matches.

4. Jasprit Bumrah | 8 Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah has been one of India’s biggest match-winners across formats, and his performances against Pakistan have been crucial in some of the most high-pressure encounters. His best ODI spell came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where he picked 2/29 in a tight 10-over spell.

Overall Bumrah took 8 wickets for India against Pakistan in Asia Cup in 7 games. In the latest edition (2025), Bumrah is being used strategically in the powerplay overs, a new role for him in T20Is. Against Pakistan, he claimed 2 wickets, dismantling their top order.

3. Hardik Pandya | 10 Wickets

India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has balanced his batting fireworks with key bowling contributions. His 10 wickets against Pakistan in only 8 games highlight his knack for breakthroughs, often dismissing set batsmen or breaking partnerships with clever use of short balls and cutters.

Pandya’s bowling has been particularly valuable when India experimented with team balance, allowing them to play an extra batsman while still retaining bowling depth. His dual role makes him one of the most influential Asia Cup performers of recent times.

Also Read: Past results of India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 10 Wickets

Indian pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 10 wickets in 5 matches in Asia Cup for India against Pakistan. He ran through Pakistan's batting line-up in the Asia Cup 2022 match at the Dubai International Stadium. He registered figures worth 4/26(4) as the Pakistani innings folded on 147. 

Bhuvi has also become the first-ever bowler to take four or more wickets against Pakistan in T20 Internationals. He bowled 13 dot balls in the match. However, he is not part of the current T20I squad. 

1. Kuldeep Yadav | 12 Wickets

Indian spinners kuldeep Yadav is India's top wicket-taker against Pakistan in Asia Cup. He have always played an integral part in the success of the Men in Blue, and Kuldeep Yadav has added to the tradition with his performances in recent years. He possesses the X-factor with his chinaman bowling and has been the tormentor-in-chief in the recent outing against Pakistan.

Currently the 30-year-old is the part of the India squad in the T20I Asia cup 2025, and he played a crucial role for India against Pakistan in both group stage and super four matches. Kuldeep also has been part of an Asia Cup match against Pakistan in the ODI format. Overall, he took a total of 12 wickets in 6 matches. Kuldeep possesses mystery in his bowling, and the Pakistan batters have always struggled to read his variations.

India have been the most successful team in the history of Asia Cup, having won the continental tournament as many as eight times (seven in ODI format, one in T20I format), since the inception of tournament in 1984. Over the years, India’s supremacy has been challenged by Pakistan more than any other team in the competition.

So far, India have played against Pakistan on 20 occasions in Asia Cup since 1984, winning eleven and losing six, while three matches was abandoned. Let's take a look at how the two teams fared when they clashed against each other in their bid for Asian supremacy.

Also Read: Highest Run Scorer in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20)

India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup

India vs Pakistan 1984 | India Won

India won the match by defeating Pakistan in a low-scoring match at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Batting first, India posted a sub-par total of 188/4 in 46 overs. Chasing the target, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and India bundled out Pakistan for 134 to win the match by 54 runs.

India vs Pakistan 1988 | India Won

India won their second consecutive Asia Cup encounter against Pakistan by registering a four-wicket win (26 balls to spare) over their rivals. Batting first, Pakistan were restricted to just 142. During the chase, no other Indian could score in double digits but in the end, it wasn’t needed as Amarnath got them home with his magnificent innings of 74*.

India vs Pakistan 1995 | Pakistan Won

Pakistan recorded their first-ever win over India in Asia Cup at this edition of the tournament, when they outclassed their rivals by 97 runs in Sharjah. Pakistan posted a formidable total of 266/9 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, India were dismissed for 169.

India vs Pakistan 2000 | Pakistan Won

Pakistan beat India at the 2000 edition of the tournament by 44 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a huge total of 295/7 in 50 overs. During the chase, the Indian top-order suffered a collapse and they were reduced to 75/4 in 14 overs. Ajay Jadeja issued a stunning fight back scoring 93 runs. But he failed to find support on the other end and India succumbed to a heavy defeat.

India vs Pakistan 2004 | Pakistan Won

In 2004, for the first time in their history, Pakistan touched the 300-run mark against India in Asia Cup. Chasing the target, India’s chase all but ended and they eventually fell short of the target by 59 runs.

India vs Pakistan 2008 (Group Stage) | India Won

Pakistan posted 299/4 in 50 overs in the group stage match in 2008. Chasing the stiff target, Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina stitched together a 198-run partnership. Yuvraj Singh (48) and MS Dhoni (26*) provided finishing touches to the chase as India reached home with six wickets to spare.

India vs Pakistan 2008 (Super Fours) | Pakistan Won

After losing in the group stage, Pakistan got their revenge by winning the match against India in the super fours. Batting first, India posted a total of 308/7 in 50 overs. The hosts got off to a good start in the chase as Pakistan crossed the finish line with eight wickets and 27 balls to spare.

India vs Pakistan 2010 | India Won

Batting first, Pakistan posted a fighting total of 267. Chasing the target, opener Gautam Gambhir held the innings from one end as his partners kept on changing on the other. Finally, he was joined at the crease by skipper Dhoni and the duo took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers and India won the match by 3 wickets with one ball to spare.

India vs Pakistan 2012 | India Won

Pakistan once again crossed the 300-run mark (329/6) against India in Asia Cup at this edition of the tournament in Dhaka. Chasing the stiff target, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni got the team over the line but it was the brilliance of Kohli that India managed to chased down such a big score with 13 balls to spare.

India vs Pakistan 2014 | Pakistan Won

Even after three batsmen scored fifties, India could muster only 245/8 in their 50 overs against Pakistan at Dhaka in the 2014. Hafeez completed a remarkable all-round show for Pakistan during the chase, as he perfectly anchored the innings by hitting 75 off 117 deliveries. In the end, Shahid Afridi slammed 34 off 18 deliveries, including two consecutive sixes off R Ashwin in the final over to take Pakistan home by just one wicket.

India vs Pakistan 2016 | India Won

This particular edition of the cup was converted into T20 format owing to the WT20, that was scheduled right after the completion of Asia Cup. On the swinging conditions of Dhaka, Indian bowlers wreaked havoc and dismissed Pakistan for just 83. Chasing the small target, Virat Kohli once again showed his class, taking the attack to Pakistan bowlers. In the end, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh took India comfortably home from there with 27 balls to spare.

Also Read: Highest Wicket Taker in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20)

India vs Pakistan 2018 | India Won

It was a superlative effort from the bowling unit of India that saw them shot out Pakistan for a paltry 162 in 43.1 overs before Rohit Sharma (52 off 39 balls) and Shikhat Dhawan (46 off 54 balls) added 86 for the opening wicket to ensure a smooth chase for the ‘Men In Blue’ in only 29 overs.

India vs Pakistan 2018 | India Won

There was no change in the outcome of the match when these two met again a few days later in another group match. India once again registered a dominating victory over Pakistan. India restricted Pakistan to below-par 237 for 7. In reply, India chased down the total in 39.3 overs with 9 wickets to spare.

India vs Pakistan 2022 | India Won

In the 2022 Asia Cup, Pakistan couldn’t defend 21 runs off 12 balls against their arch-rivals in the group stage match.

India vs Pakistan 2022 | Pakistan Won

However, they bounced back to win the Super Four clash between the two sides by 5 wickets on the second-last ball.

India vs Pakistan 2023 | India Won

India beat Pakistan comprehensively by 228 runs during their Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match. Virat Kohli (122) and KL Rahul (111) struck unbeaten centuries to steer India to a commanding 356 for two, the team's joint highest total against Pakistan in ODIs. In response, Pakistan were all out for 128 in 32 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the stand out bowler for India as he ended with a five wicket haul.

India vs Pakistan 2025 | India Won

India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 group stage encounter. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first against India. Their decision quickly backfired, as India's Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah claimed two early wickets within the first two overs. India's spin attack then dominated the middle overs, dismantling the lower order with three wickets. Despite a late cameo of 33 runs from Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan was restricted to a total of 127/9 in their 20 overs.

Indian openers joined a quickfire 22 before Saim Ayub dismissed Shubman Gill in the second over for 10 runs. Abhishek Sharma continued the attack and hammered 31 off just 13 balls. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma took the innings forward from there. Suryakumar Yadav took India over the line with his 47 not out.