Dubai, Sep 22 (NationPress) Opener Abhishek Sharma delivered an outstanding performance with a stunning 74 runs off 39 balls, leading India to a six-wicket victory against Pakistan in a Super Fours match of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium this Sunday.

This match marked India’s highest successful chase against Pakistan in T20Is, as they preserved their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Sahibzada Farhan was the top scorer for Pakistan with 58 runs, while Faheem Ashraf contributed a quick 20 runs off 8 balls, helping Pakistan set a target of 171/5 in their 20 overs.

India's chase commenced with vigor as Abhishek launched the very first delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi over the boundary for six, establishing a commanding chase. Partnered with Shubman Gill, who scored a brisk 47 runs off 28 balls, they formed a significant opening partnership of 105 runs that left the Pakistan team scrambling for solutions.

Despite a temporary slowdown, Tilak Varma ensured a seamless conclusion to the chase with an unbeaten 30 runs off 19 balls, as India reached their target with seven balls to spare. Both Varma and Pandya exited without acknowledging the Pakistani team, moving into the Indian dressing room filled with joy.

India's innings kicked off positively with Abhishek hooking a bouncer from Afridi for six. Gill also got into the groove quickly, striking consecutive boundaries against Saim Ayub before lofting Afridi for another pair of fours.

As tension mounted, Gill gestured at Afridi after the third over, indicating a previous hit. Abhishek then targeted Abrar Ahmed, pulling and swinging for four and six, while both openers found boundaries against Rauf.

After Abhishek struck Ayub for four, Gill late-cut him for a boundary, followed by a short-arm pull through mid-wicket, as India concluded the powerplay at 69/0 – the best score so far in this competition.

Abhishek smashed Abrar for two sixes, including one dropped by Sahibzada Farhan at long-off, and reached his fifty in just 24 balls with a beautifully timed cover drive for four against Ayub. However, after a drinks break, Pakistan struck back quickly.

Faheem Ashraf bowled a sharp delivery that bowled Gill, while Suryakumar Yadav was caught at deep third man off Rauf's bowling.

After a brief lull post-fifty, Abhishek found boundaries against Ashraf and lofted Abrar over wide long-on for six before miscuing a pull and being caught at long-on.

With India needing only 49 from 46 balls, Varma and Sanju Samson kept the scoreboard ticking. Although a struggling Samson was bowled by Rauf, Tilak and Hardik Pandya nudged the ball around for boundaries, guiding India to victory.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58, Saim Ayub 21; Shivam Dube 2-33, Hardik Pandya 1-29) lost to India 174/4 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 74, Shubman Gill 47; Haris Rauf 2-26, Faheem Ashraf 1-31) by six wickets.