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.
