Abhishek Sharma produced a blazing half-century as India took on Pakistan in the Asian Games cricket final, with a gold medal at stake in the high-profile clash.
The Indian opener reached his fifty in just 20 balls, giving India early momentum after being sent in to bat.
The final began with a notable moment even before the first ball was bowled. India and Pakistan continued their no-handshake stance at the toss, with Indian captain Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan skipper Sahibzada Farhan going through the formalities without exchanging handshakes.
Once the action began, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub kept India’s openers quiet in the first over, conceding only four runs. But the restraint did not last long.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi quickly shifted the momentum in the second over, taking on Saad Masood with a series of attacking shots. The over produced 24 runs, including two sixes from Sooryavanshi and a six and a boundary from Abhishek.
Pakistan struck soon after when Ayub dismissed Sooryavanshi for 15. The youngster attempted a reverse sweep but appeared to get a faint edge, with wicketkeeper Usman Khan eventually completing the catch after an initial fumble.
Abhishek, however, ensured India’s momentum did not disappear with the wicket. He attacked Ayub in the same over, smashing a six and two boundaries as India collected 15 runs.
Abhishek Sharma brings up 20-ball fifty
The Indian opener continued his assault and brought up a rapid half-century by launching Ahmed Daniyal over the boundary. The fifty came from only 20 deliveries and marked Abhishek’s 13th T20I half-century for India.
Pakistan were handed two further opportunities to stop the onslaught when Saim Ayub dropped catches from Abhishek and Shreyas Iyer in the same over.
Abhishek eventually departed for 61 from 28 balls. After hitting a six, he attempted another attacking stroke off Arafat Minhas but missed, allowing Usman Khan to complete the stumping.
Before that, Pakistan had removed Sanju Samson for 2. Daniyal cramped Samson with a short delivery, with the resulting pull ending up in the hands of Minhas at mid-on.
With Abhishek gone, India lost their third wicket, but his explosive start had already put them in a strong position in the Asian Games final as they continued their push for the gold medal against Pakistan.