On nights like these, cricket feels less like a contest and more like theatre. The Dubai crowd came for India vs Pakistan, but they left talking about just one man, Abhishek Sharma. From the first ball he faced, a Shaheen Afridi short one that disappeared into the stands, the 25-year-old turned the game into a nightmare for Pakistan. By the time he walked off with 74 off 39 balls, Pakistan’s attack looked jaded, and India’s chase of 172 felt almost casual.
India’s win on September 22 was their second over Pakistan in eight days, and on both occasions Abhishek’s swagger peaked. Abhishek, opening alongside Shubman Gill, took on Afridi and Haris Rauf with words as much as with shots. Despite posting 171, Pakistan never looked in the game as the 105-run opening stand between Gill and Abhishek pushed them away from the contest. It was a superb sight for Indian fans, who relished Abhishek giving it back to the Pakistanis in every way possible.
It was the kind of innings that goes beyond numbers. Abhishek’s strokes had intent, but they also carried sledge. Even when Gill fell for 47 and Pakistan sensed a door opening, the momentum was long gone. Tilak Varma finished things off with an unbeaten 30, and the contest had been reduced to a formality.
Abhishek makes his family proud
In the stands, the Sharma family soaked in the moment. His sister Komal’s voice cracked with pride as she called it “a dream day” and predicted a century was not far away.
“I always wanted to watch an India vs Pakistan match, and today we came — and he did so well. He’s the Man of the Match, what more can we say? You can see on our faces, we’re super excited and happy. We’re very proud of him. I truly believe the sky is the limit for him, and he’s going to prove to everyone the kind of player and talent he has. The century will come very soon, and he has already made us proud. We’re just waiting for that hundred in this tournament, that’s all,” she told PTI.
His mother, Manju, smiled at the memory of her son dispatching Afridi’s first delivery over the ropes: “It was just so fun watching him play like that today. It was even more fun to watch him hit the six on the very first ball against we all know who. He has made it a habit. I just hope you all keep supporting him, and he keeps doing what he does best.”
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