NEW DELHI: After shutting down arch-rivals Pakistan for the second time in eight days, India opener Abhishek Sharma made a bold statement off the field, posting a sly dig at their rivals on social media. Leading from the front, Sharma smashed a scintillating 74 off just 39 balls as India chased down 172 in 18.5 overs to secure a six-wicket Super Four victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Accompanying his post were action shots from the match, highlighting his 105-run opening partnership with close friend and fellow opener Shubman Gill, who contributed 47 off 28 balls. The post simply read: “You talk, we win.” The message quickly went viral, reflecting not just the on-field dominance but the simmering tension that characterised the clash.
The match itself was charged from the outset. Tempers flared when Gill and Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi exchanged intense glances after boundaries were dispatched over the field. Abhishek and Haris Rauf also engaged in fiery on-field exchanges, with umpires stepping in to cool down moments of friction.
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“Today was pretty simple. The way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all,” Abhishek said after being named player of the match. “That’s why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team.”Despite India losing Gill to Faheem Ashraf and Abhishek himself to Abrar Ahmed after his whirlwind innings, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 30 guided the team home. India’s fielding, however, was not flawless, with four catches dropped, allowing Pakistan to post 171/5, with Sahibzada Farhan scoring a 58.The win marks a significant psychological advantage for India, who have now defeated Pakistan twice in the ongoing Asia Cup. With political tensions still simmering, these encounters continue to draw attention far beyond cricket, as social media reactions—including Abhishek’s pointed post—underscore the intensity of the rivalry.
