Opener Abhishek Sharma blew Pakistan pacers away in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash. Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf tried sledging him but it ended up fuelling his will to attack even more ferociously. His blazing half-century punctured Pakistan’s bowling lineup as they couldn’t make a comeback even after getting a few wickets. After the match, Abhishek had a conversation with former India opener Virender Sehwag who batted in a similar manner and often took down the best of Pakistan bowling attacks. The young opener said that the current crop of Pakistan bowlers are not at the same level as Sehwag faced in his career.
"Jo Viru paaji ne bowlers ko maare hue hai, vo bowlers mujhe nahi lagta ab vo hai koi (The bowlers that Viru paaji has hit, I don’t think there’s anyone like those bowlers)," Abhishek said on Sony Sports.
Abhishek scored 74 runs from just 39 balls. His scintillating knock was laced with six fours and five sixes. When he departed in the 13th over, India had 123 runs on the board and needed 49 more to win. Sehwag who was known for not slowing down to reach milestones, advised Abhishek to convert them into hundreds and recalled what legendary Sunil Gavaskar had told him.
"Whenever you reach 70, don't miss out on 100 because Sunil Gavaskar said to me – when you retire, you'll remember the innings where you got out on 70 or 80. If you convert those, maybe your career will have more hundreds because these opportunities don't come again and again. When you're batting well, on your day, try to go not out – it's better," Sehwag said.
Abhishek, the leading run-getter and six-hitter
Abhishek was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for his maiden half-century at the Asia Cup stage. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing tournament. He has hit 12 sixes already. Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai are next on the list with eight sixes each but they have been knocked out of the tournament. Abhishek is expected to extend the lead. India’s next clash is against Bangladesh at the same venue on September 24.