Abhishek’s Half-Century Guides India Past Pakistan in Super Four Encounter

DUBAI: Explosive opener Abhishek Sharma’s blazing half-century powered India to a commanding six-wicket win over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 172, India crossed the finish line at 172/4 with seven balls still in hand.

The Men in Blue were off to a dream start as Abhishek and Shubman Gill stitched together a whirlwind 105-run opening partnership inside the first 10 overs. Gill contributed a rapid 47 off 28 balls, striking eight boundaries, before Faheem Ashraf knocked him over.

Pakistan then clawed back briefly as Haris Rauf removed skipper Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Abhishek for a sparkling 74 off just 39 deliveries, an innings decorated with six fours and five sixes. The scoreboard suddenly read 123/3 in 12.2 overs.

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma tried to steady the chase, adding 25 runs, before Haris returned to dismiss Samson for 13. Varma, however, kept his composure, striking 30 not out from 19 balls (two sixes, two fours) to guide India home alongside Hardik Pandya, who finished unbeaten on 7.

Haris Rauf stood out with 2/26 in his four overs, while Faheem and Abrar claimed one wicket apiece.

Earlier, after being sent in to bat, Pakistan posted 171/5 in their 20 overs.

The new opening pair of Farhan and Fakhar Zaman gave a brisk start of 21 runs before Fakhar departed in the third over, edging a controversial review decision that went in India’s favour. He made 15 off nine balls with three boundaries.

Farhan anchored the innings with a fluent 58 off 45 deliveries, striking five fours and three sixes. He first put on 72 runs with Saim Ayub (21 off 17) before the left-hander fell to Shivam Dube. Later, Hussain Talat chipped in with 10 as Farhan added 17 more before Dube dismissed him as well in the 15th over.

In the final stretch, skipper Salman Ali Agha (17 off 13) and Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 19, including a six and a four) carried the innings forward with a 34-run stand. Faheem Ashraf provided late fireworks, smashing 20 not out from only eight balls, laced with two sixes and a four.

For India, Dube claimed 2 wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav picked up one each.