DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In a gripping Super Four clash of the Asia Cup on Sunday, India triumphed over Pakistan by six wickets, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge with a remarkable 39-ball 74, which included five sixes. The match, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, saw no handshakes exchanged between the competing teams, continuing a customary stance between the archrivals.
India, the designated host of the Asia Cup, has been forced to play the tournament in the UAE due to political tensions that prevent the Indian and Pakistan cricket teams from competing on each other’s home ground. Prior to the match, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav reaffirmed the team’s adherence to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) guidelines against shaking hands with players from Pakistan.
Sharma's explosive innings set the tone for India's chase of Pakistan's total of 171. He struck a six off the first ball of his innings, signaling his intent, and continued to build momentum alongside vice-captain Shubman Gill, who contributed 47 runs off 28 balls. The pair's solid partnership set India on a path to victory, aided by Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, as they finished with 174-4 in just 18.5 overs.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan had posted a total of 171-5 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan scored a solid 58 runs off 45 balls, but the team struggled to maintain momentum in the middle overs. Despite Faheem Ashraf's late surge of 20 runs, it was clear that Pakistan’s score was on the lower side, especially with Sharma's explosive start.
The ongoing handshake dispute was notable, as Pakistan captain Salman Agha and Yadav did not shake hands before the match. This follows a previous incident where the Indian team’s refusal to engage in handshakes led to tensions around a match against the United Arab Emirates. Match referee Andy Pycroft had previously stepped in to apologize for a “miscommunication” during the game against India.
In terms of performance, Fakhar Zaman returned to the opening lineup but departed early for just 15 runs, which led to further discussions regarding a contested decision made by the TV umpire. Pakistan initially appeared to be in a commanding position at 91-1 after 10 overs, with Farhan reaching his half-century in 34 balls. However, as wickets fell, Pakistan’s scoring rate diminished significantly.
Sharma continued to dazzle with his batting, hitting back at Pakistan's bowlers, notably after a confrontational moment with pacer Haris Rauf. Sharma noted, “They were coming at us without any reason, and I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them.” This aggressive approach was evident as he capitalized on a couple of drop catches, including two in the early stages of his innings that allowed him to amass a quick-fire fifty off just 20 balls.
Although his innings faced a brief setback when he was dismissed in the 13th over at 123-3, Varma and Samson played composed innings to stabilize their team’s chase. Ultimately, Varma guided India to victory over the finish line with over an over to spare.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is set to face Sri Lanka in a must-win Super Four match in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, while India will take on Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday. The ongoing Asia Cup continues to deliver intense rivalries, showcasing the high stakes involved for both teams in their pursuit of cricketing excellence.
