Abhishek Sharma lit up Dubai with a breathtaking display of power hitting as India cruised to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in their Asia Cup Super Four encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Abhishek Sharma laced it with the bat, scoring 74 off just 39 balls (peppered with six boundaries and five towering sixes), while Shivam Dube proved handy with the ball with figures of 2/33 for India.
India’s chase of 172 began like a storm, with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill tearing into Pakistan’s attack from the first ball.
The pair raced to a hundred partnership inside 10 overs, while Abhishek even added spice to the spectacle with a few words exchanged with Pakistan’s bowlers.
Gill played the perfect foil, driving India to 105 without
loss in under 10 overs, a dream start in a high-stakes chase.
But, soon enough, the momentum shifted and Pakistan finally clawed their way back.
Gill fell soon after the milestone, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav departed for a duck, halting India’s charge. Abhishek responded in style, launching Abrar Ahmed for a monstrous six, but the bowler had the last laugh — deceiving him with a slower one that ended a dazzling innings.
At 123 for 3, India still held the upper hand, thanks to Abhishek’s blitz.
Despite losing Sanju Samson, who scored 13, and Pakistan dragging the chase out to the penultimate over, Tilak Varma (30* off 19 balls) took over, ensuring that the Men in Blue crossed the line without fail.
Dube The Unlikely Hero With The Ball
India’s bowlers shook off a poor start to claw back control in the final overs, restricting Pakistan to 171 for 5 in their Asia Cup Super Four clash on Sunday.
The unlikely hero was Shivam Dube, whose clever variations earned him 2 for 33 and swung momentum after a flying start from Pakistan.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan lit up the innings with a stylish 58 off 45 balls, punishing India’s wayward Powerplay bowling. Alongside Saim Ayub (21), he powered Pakistan to 91 for 1 in the first 10 overs, a platform that threatened something far bigger. A dropped catch by Kuldeep Yadav off Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling only added to India’s frustration.
But drinks brought discipline. Dube forced Ayub into a miscued pull brilliantly pouched by Abhishek Sharma, then outfoxed Farhan with a slower ball. Chakravarthy’s miserly 0 for 25 also choked the run flow, creating pressure that paid off.
Late cameos from Salman Ali Agha (17*), Mohammad Nawaz (21), and Faheem Ashraf (20* off 8, including a monster six off Jasprit Bumrah) dragged Pakistan past 170.
