DUBAI: Abhishek Sharma’s imperious knock propelled India to a comprehensive win over Pakistan in the second match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
India made light work of the chase, losing just four wickets and finishing with seven balls to spare.
In pursuit of the target, the Men in Blue openers came out all guns blazing, particularly Abhishek Sharma, whose effortless shots were a sight to watch.
The left-hander pummelled the Pakistan bowlers all around the park, powering India to 69-0 in the powerplay.
Even after the field restrictions were lifted, India’s onslaught continued with Sharma racing to his half-century in just 24 balls.
Pakistan finally got a breakthrough in the form of Shubman Gill, who was bowled by Faheem Ashraf for a well-made 47 from 28 balls. Gill crunched eight boundaries in his fluent knock.
Soon after, Suryakumar Yadav was sent back for a duck as Pakistan sensed an opening. At this stage, India were 106-2 in 10.3 overs.
However, Abhishek Sharma continued on his merry way and kept Pakistan bowlers at bay with sublime hitting.
With India requiring just 49 from 48 balls, Abhishek eventually departed, holing it out to long on. His 74 off 39 balls included five towering sixes and half a dozen fours.
The Men in Blue were over the line in the second last over, with ice-cool Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya adding 26* from 13 balls on the fifth wicket. Varma scored 30* off 19, whereas Pandya made seven not out.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf picked up two wickets while Faheem Ashraf and Abrar Ahmed managed to scalp one apiece.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s gutsy half-century and Faheem Ashraf’s late cameo powered Pakistan to a strong total against India
Put into bat first, Pakistan racked up 171-5 in their 20 overs.
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The new opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan started solidly as they raced to 21 in 2.3 overs.
However, Hardik Pandya removed Zaman, who was looking dangerous after making 15 off nine balls. Yet, Pakistan charged and reached a decent score of 55 at the end of the powerplay with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub at the crease.
The duo added another 38 before Saim was removed after trying to pull a shorter length delivery. He made 21 off 17 with the aid of a six and four. Meanwhile, Farhan held firm and reached his half-century in the process.
At this stage, Pakistan were 93-2 in 10.3 overs.
However, India fought back in the middle overs, taking wickets at regular intervals, which halted Pakistan’s progress. The Men in Blue struck on the first balls of the 14th and 15th over, respectively.
Farhan was the first to go, whereas Talat followed him after with a sluggish knock off 10 from 11 balls. Farhan remained the top-scorer with 58 from 45 balls, laced with three sixes and five fours.
Eventually, Pakistan reached a good score, courtesy of Faheem Ashraf’s cameo, who made 20 off eight, striking two sixes and a four.
For India, Shivam Dube remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up crucial two wickets in the middle overs with medium pace bowling. Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya picked one wicket each.
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