Asia Cup 2025: Abhishek, Gill star as India pull off record chase to thrash Pakistan in tense Super 4 clash

Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill went all guns blazing with the bat as India hammered Pakistan by six wickets in a tense clash to begin their Super 4 campaign with a stellar victory in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Abhishek smashed a brilliant knock of 74 runs off 39 balls, while Gill scored a quickfire 47 off 28 deliveries as the duo helped India pull off a record chase and bag their second straight victory against Pakistan in the tournament.

Pakistan rode on opener Sahibzada Farhan's cracking half-century to post a strong total of 171 runs on the board, their highest first-innings total against India in a T20I. However, it didn't prove to be enough as Gill and Abhishek made the game a lop-sided affair with their terrific 105-run opening stand, helping India complete a record chase with 7 balls to spare.

Tempers flared on a few occasions during India's run chase in the tense clash, but Abhishek and Gill remained focused to take the game away from Pakistan. The duo went after the Pakistan bowlers from the word go to set the tone for India. Abhishek was the aggressor in chief as he got off the mark in style with a six of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, before taking the other Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners en route to his 74-run knock.

Abhishek was in no mood to spare the Pakistani bowlers after enduring a rough day on the pitch as he dropped Farhan twice during his 58-run knock. He went after Afridi in the first over, before smashing Pakistan spinners Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub all around the park.

Abhishek notched up his half-century off just 24 balls to record the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in a T20I against Pakistan and finished with a brilliant 74 off 39 balls, studded with 6 fours and five sixes. It was Abhishek's 3rd half-century in T20Is and his maiden fifty against Pakistan in the shortest format. 

Abhishek was well supported by his opening partner Gill, who too flexed his muscles in the Powerplay to help India dominate the proceedings and post 69 runs in the first six overs. Gill's 47 was laced with 8 fours as he shared a 105-run stand with Abhishek for the first wicket, which set up the chase for India.

After the duo's departure, Tilak Varma took the onus and helped India get over the line comfortably with his unbeaten 30 off 19 deliveries. India delivered a solid batting display under pressure, following their sloppy fielding earlier, which had allowed Pakistan to post a good total on the board.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan batters showcased intent and produced a combined effort to post their highest-ever first-innings total against their arch-rivals in a T20I game. However, their bowlers failed to complement the batters as ruthless India continued their winning run in the tournament with another dominant victory.

Opener Farhan was the standout performer with the bat for Pakistan as he played a sublime knock of 58 runs off 45 balls, playing some impressive shots against Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Farhan got Pakistan off to a strong start, however, his strike rate remained questionable despite his half-century, creating the base for a big total for Pakistan.

Farhan shared a 72-run stand for the second wicket with Saim Ayub, who got off the mark for the first time in the tournament and played second fiddle to the opener en route to his 17-ball 21. Cameos from skipper Salman Agha (17 off 13) and Faheem Ashraf, who scored an unbeaten 20 off 8 balls, helped Pakistan breach the 170-run mark.

Pakistan would have hoped for a fight after their batters put on strong performance, however, the Men in Green were let down by the bowlers as Abhishek and Gill's heroics powered India to a convincing victory. India will take on Bangladesh in the Super 4 next as they look to continue their winning run in the tournament. Meanwhile, Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in their next game.

India continued their no-handshake policy against Pakistan during their Super 4 clash on Sunday. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav ignored Pakistan skipper Salman Agha at the toss and refused to shake hands with him. The Indian players once again snubbed the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts following their six-wicket victory in the match.