New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma kept up his aggression even after leading India to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan in Asia Cup’s Super 4 stage.
He blasted six boundaries and five sixes in his whirlwind 39-ball 74 as India chased down a 172-run target with seven balls to spare in Dubai.
It was India’s second win over Pakistan in the tournament and overall 12th in 15 T20Is against the arch-rivals.
Sharma was involved in heated verbal exchanges with Pakistan players while batting at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After India’s win, he wrote on social media platform X, “You talk, we win”.
‘Didn’t like it’
Reacting to Pakistan’s aggression while defended their 171/5, Sharma said he didn’t like their needless belligerence.
The left hander shared a 105-run opening wicket stand with Shubman Gill as India reached their 172-run target with seven balls to spare.
“Today it was very simple, the way they (Pakistan players) were coming at us for no reason, I didn’t like it at all and this is the only way (his aggressive batting) I could give medicine to them,” Sharma said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Sharma and Gill had altercations with Pakistan pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Speaking about batting with Gill, he said: “We have been playing since school days, we enjoy each other’s company, we thought we would do it and today was the day. The way he was giving it back, I really enjoyed it.
“It’s (the way he bats) because the team supports me. That’s the intent I show and I’m practicing really hard and if it’s my day, I’m gonna win it for my team.”
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav also praised the camaraderie of Sharma and Gill.
“They complement each other really well (Abhishek and Gill). It’s like a fire and ice combination,” he said.