Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill etched their names into the record books on Sunday, registering India’s highest opening partnership against Pakistan in T20Is during the Asia Cup.
The duo added 105 runs in under 10 overs while chasing a target of 172, surpassing the previous best stand of 77 between Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane in Bengaluru back in 2012. This was also the first 100-plus partnership by any side for any wicket in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Earlier, India opted to field first. Pakistan recovered from an early setback through a 72-run stand between Sahibzada Farhan (58 off 45 balls) and Saim Ayub (21 off 17). Contributions from Mohammed Nawaz (21 off 19) and Faheem Ashraf (20* off 8) lifted Pakistan to 171/5 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube (2/33) led India’s bowling effort, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya chipped in with one wicket each.
In reply, Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 74 off 39 balls, including six fours and five sixes, combined with Shubman Gill’s fluent 47 off 28, gave India a flying start. Despite Haris Rauf’s efforts (2/26), Tilak Varma (30* off 19) and Hardik Pandya (7*) guided India home with seven balls to spare.
Abhishek was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning knock, which proved decisive in India’s victory over their arch-rivals.