Asia Cup: Abhishek Sharma cooks Pakistan a meal of crafty strokeplay and ruthless aggression

Abhishek Sharma cooks Pakistan a meal of crafty strokeplay and ruthless aggression (AP Photo)

Abhishek Sharma didn't have a great start to the high-voltage India-Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025 Super Four encounter, at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Positioned at third man, Abhishek let go off a dolly as early as the first over after Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat. Abhishek's error gave Sahibzada Farhan, the man responsible for Pakistan's much-improved batting performance, a lifeline, and eight overs later he handed the opener yet another chance. This time the ball touched his hand and popped over the boundary rope for a six.

But a match-winner like Abhishek needs only one moment of brilliance, and his came in the 11th over bowled by Shivam Dube. Sprinting in from deep backward square, Abhishek plunged into a leading edge by Saim Ayub slightly outside the 30-yard circle. He completed the catch with a superb dive and right after grabbing the ball let out a loud roar. There was no turning back from there.

Walking to open the innings along with Shubman Gill, the southpaw started the 172 run-chase by sending a short delivery by Shaheen Shah Afridi for a six over the fine leg fence. Soon after knocking the ball, he turned around and was seen giving Afridi a mouthful - making his intention clear from the word go.

Classic Abhishek Sharma

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Until Abrar Ahmed had met Abhishek, he had conceded just two boundaries in 70 balls in this tournament. On Sunday, the southpaw smoked the leg-spinner for a couple of sixes and a four off his first eight balls.

Abhishek continued his carnage, no matter who turned up, be it Afridi or Haris Rauf, the batter won all individual battles with his crafty strokeplay mixed with ruthless aggression.

Things got heated between Abhishek Sharma & Haris Rauf

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He was eventually dismissed for 74(39) but by the time he departed the match was almost in India's pocket, considering the depth and names waiting in line to flex their muscles.

The knock also saw Abhishek become the quickest among Full Member teams to reach 50 T20I sixes. Abhishek smashed a total of six boundaries and five maximums during the course of his innings. His 24-ball half-century is now the second fastest fifty in an India-Pakistan T20I. Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has the quickest, taking one less delivery to reach the milestone.

Abhishek was deservingly adjudged Player Of The Match and while speaking at the post-match presentation party, he blamed Pakistan bowlers behind the unleash. "Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all. That's why I went after them," he said.