India began their Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup with a commanding six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai, thanks to a blistering opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Chasing 172, India made light work of the target with seven balls to spare, finishing at 174 for four. Abhishek blasted 74 from just 39 deliveries, striking six fours and five sixes, while vice-captain Gill hammered 47 off 28 balls. Their 105-run stand in less than nine overs dismantled Pakistan’s attack and set the tone for India’s second win over their rivals in the tournament.
Abhishek, who launched the innings with a six off the very first ball, showed aggression not only with the bat but also in his exchanges with Pakistan’s bowlers, notably Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Gill complemented him with crisp boundaries, including a sequence that rekindled memories of past Indo-Pak clashes as he gestured towards Afridi after dispatching him through extra cover.
Pakistan had earlier posted 171 for five, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 from 45 balls. Despite dropped catches and erratic fielding by India, which gifted Pakistan 42 runs in the final three overs, the target proved insufficient. Shivam Dube was the pick of India’s bowlers with 2 for 33, while Jasprit Bumrah endured a difficult night, conceding 45 in his four overs.
After Gill’s dismissal by Faheem Ashraf and Suryakumar Yadav’s early exit, Abhishek carried on the assault before falling to Abrar Ahmed at long-on. Tilak Varma then steadied the chase, finishing unbeaten on 30 from 19 balls alongside Hardik Pandya, who struck the winning runs in the 19th over.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s top order, with Haris Rauf taking 2 for 26 as the only bright spot. Despite Farhan’s fifty and Faheem’s late cameo, Pakistan were left ruing dropped chances and missed opportunities.
India’s victory extends their dominance over Pakistan in the tournament, having already won the group-stage clash comfortably. The result puts India in a strong position to reach the Asia Cup final, while Pakistan face mounting pressure to stay alive in the Super Four stage.
Brief scores: Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58; Shivam Dube 2/33) lost to India 174/4 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 74, Shubman Gill 47; Haris Rauf 2/26).
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