IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 :- The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup kicked off with the kind of high-octane drama you expect from an India-Pakistan clash, and it was the young gun, Abhishek Sharma, who stole the show. In a chase that had the feel of a statement win, India breezed past Pakistan’s total of 171, thanks to a sensational, blistering 74 off just 39 balls from the left-handed opener.It wasn’t just about the runs; it was about the swagger.
Right from the first ball of the chase, Abhishek set the tone by sending a Shaheen Afridi bouncer sailing over the ropes for a monstrous six. This wasn’t a game for timid starts, and Abhishek’s intent was clear. He and his opening partner, Shubman Gill, were in a mood to not just chase, but to dismantle.
It wasn’t just about the runs; it was about the swagger. Right from the first ball of the chase, Abhishek set the tone by sending a Shaheen Afridi bouncer sailing over the ropes for a monstrous six. This wasn’t a game for timid starts, and Abhishek’s intent was clear. He and his opening partner, Shubman Gill, were in a mood to not just chase, but to dismantle.
The two childhood friends from Punjab put on a show for the Dubai crowd, adding a breathtaking 105 runs for the first wicket in under 10 overs. It was a partnership built on audacious strokeplay and a healthy dose of verbal sparring with the Pakistani quicks. The way Abhishek and Gill gave it back to a charged-up Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi was a joy to watch, turning the heat up on an already tense encounter.
While Pakistan’s innings had its moments, with Sahibzada Farhan’s fighting half-century, and a late cameo from Faheem Ashraf, their total of 171 always felt a bit short. Especially after India’s bowlers, led by the likes of Shivam Dube and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, applied the brakes in the middle overs.
Abhishek’s knock, which included six fours and five sixes, was the kind that defines a chase. He reached his fifty in a mere 24 balls, and even after Shubman Gill fell for a well-made 47, Abhishek kept the foot on the pedal. Though he was eventually dismissed for 74, the damage was long done. The asking rate was a cakewalk, and despite a few late wobbles, a calm partnership between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya saw India home with seven balls to spare.
The final scorecard might say a six-wicket win, but the narrative of this match was all about a team that outplayed their rivals in every single department. This victory extends India’s remarkable winning streak against Pakistan and puts them in a dominant position in the Super 4 points table. But more than that, it was a win that was stamped with the fire and confidence of a young Indian side, perfectly encapsulated by the explosive talent of Abhishek Sharma.
