The India-Pakistan Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai erupted with early drama as India’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill both went after Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi — with the bat and with words. The fireworks began on the very first ball of the chase. Shaheen went short, angling it into Abhishek, who swivelled, caught a top edge on the pull, and watched the ball sail over fine leg for six.
Instead of walking away, Abhishek turned towards the bowler and had a few words, setting the stage for a charged contest. But the tension didn’t end there. Two overs later, Gill joined the act. Dancing down the track to a length delivery outside off, he smashed Shaheen past extra cover for four. The shot screamed authority, but what followed lit up the moment even more, Gill pointed with his hand in the direction where the ball sped away, almost as if to remind Shaheen exactly how cleanly he had been struck. The Pakistan pacer, visibly irritated, chose not to engage and simply turned his back. These fiery exchanges added to an already high-stakes chase after Pakistan had posted 171/5, their highest total against India when batting first in T20Is. Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century and Faheem Ashraf’s late burst powered the innings, while India’s sloppy fielding — including four dropped catches — only piled on frustration. For Abhishek, who had been guilty of two dropped chances in the field, the intent to counter-attack was both a redemption arc and a statement of confidence. With Gill backing him up in equal measure, India’s openers not only provided a brisk start but also sent a clear message: Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s strike weapon, would not have it easy tonight.
