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It was one-way traffic in the second innings as Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill walked out to chase 172 in T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash against Pakistan. While tempers always flare in India-Pakistan clashes, this time Pakistan pacers — Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf —were overly aggressive and made a few remarks that irked the Indian openers who replied with interest. After the match, Abhishek addressed it in the post-match presentation as well. Later, both openers put out four-word posts on social media, taking a dig at Pakistan players.
“You talk, we win (India flag emoji),” Abhishek wrote on social media.
“Game speaks, not words (India flag emoji, bat and ball emoji),” Gill expressed on social media.
The first instance took place right after the first ball when Abhishek smashed Afridi for a six. The heated exchanges continued while Afridi threat was nullified. Later, Rauf had the same approach which was met by Indian openers with fierceness again. The exchanges continued but Abhishek and Gill continued to find boundaries and chip away the target. They shared a 105-run opening stand from 59 balls.
Abhishek enters elite list
Gill missed his half-century as he was dismissed for a 27-ball 48. His knock featured eight fours. Abhishek was destructive throughout. He hit five sixes and six fours in his 39-ball 74. This is the third-highest score by an Indian batter against Pakistan in T20Is after Gautam Gambhir’s 75 in T20 World Cup 2007 final and Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 in T20 World Cup 2022 clash.
Abhishek bashes Pakistan bowlers off the ground too
After India beat Pakistan by six wickets with seven balls left in the innings, Abhishek was adjudged the ‘Player of the match’. He explained how Pakistan bowlers’ aggression led to him dominating them in the powerplay overs.
“Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all. That's why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team,” the young opener said in the post-match presentation.
Abhishek leading the charts
Abhishek is currently the leading run-scorer in T20 Asia Cup 2025. From four innings, he has scored 173 runs at an average of 43.25 and strike rate of 208.43.
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