NEW DELHI: Opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a brilliant 74 to power India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan, as the handshake saga continued in the Super Four clash of the Asia Cup on Sunday.Chasing 172, India got off to a flying start with a 105-run opening partnership between the left-handed Abhishek and Shubman Gill, who made 47, before sealing victory with seven balls to spare in Dubai.Tensions rose during the chase when Gill and Shaheen Afridi exchanged fiery glances after the Indian batter struck the pacer for a boundary.
Abhishek and Gill went on the attack from the outset, hammering boundaries at will and racing to 101-0 in just nine overs to dismantle Pakistan’s bowling.After the win, former India cricketer Munaf Patel took to social media to celebrate India’s dominant performance.“Ek rehta he Maarna. Aur ek hota he Ragad Ragad k Dhona. Wo hua he #indvspak k match main. On filed keh k Mara he Gill & Abhishek ne. Post Match main #AbhishekSharma ne Interview main Bajayi he. Press conference main #SKY ne Bajayi he. Its not a rivalry. Bhai Bas Maza Aa gaya #indvspak2025 #AsiaCup2025,” he wrote.
Earlier, India had opted to field first, but Pakistan made a strong start through Sahibzada Farhan, who top-scored with 58, and Saim Ayub, who made 21. The pair added 72 runs for the second wicket to lift their side to 171-5.Fakhar Zaman had set the tone early with a quickfire 15 off nine balls before being caught behind. Farhan carried on the momentum with five fours and three sixes in his 45-ball knock, bringing up his half-century with a six and marking it with a gun-celebration using his bat.India struck back with three wickets, including Farhan, who was dismissed by medium-pacer Shivam Dube as Pakistan slipped to 115-4. Mohammad Nawaz made 21 before being run out, while skipper Salman Agha (17) and Faheem Ashraf (20 off eight balls) added 22 late runs to push the total.Dube returned the best figures for India with 2-33, though the fielding left much to be desired as four catches went down.This was India’s second win over Pakistan in the tournament, having already beaten them in the group stage.
