The India-Pakistan Super Fours clash in Dubai on Sunday was marked by intense moments both before and during the match. As India chased 172, the excitement began right from the first ball when Abhishek Sharma’s top edge sailed over the ropes for six. As he walked over to meet Shubman Gill, a few sharp words were exchanged, instantly raising the stakes of the contest. Gill soon targeted Shaheen Afridi, smashing him through extra-cover and then pointing to the spot, which added to the tension. Although Shaheen chose not to react, the rivalry escalated when Gill nailed a short-arm jab for four in the fifth over. At the end of the over, Abhishek and Haris Rauf engaged in a fierce verbal exchange, prompting umpire Gazi Sohel to step in and restore order. The intensity was evident even before play began, as India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha once again avoided the traditional handshake at the toss. After the match concluded, the players still did not shake hands.
For the second time in the tournament, India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha avoided shaking hands at the toss, breaking with tradition. Suryakumar returned to his team immediately after announcing his decision to field, leaving the moment enveloped in cold silence. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan celebrated reaching his half-century by firing a ‘gun’ with his bat, something that did not go down well with fans in India. (PTI Photo)
Another four off Gill’s bat in the fifth over heightened emotions, with players visibly charged up. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
In the third over, Gill hit Shaheen Afridi for a four through extra-cover and pointed towards the spot, increasing the tension on the field. (PTI Photo)
Another four off Gill’s bat in the fifth over heightened emotions, with players visibly charged up as the umpires had to step in difuse the situation. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The fiery exchange forced umpire Gazi Sohel to intervene, stepping between the players to calm tempers and restore order. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Abhishek Sharma and Haris Rauf exchanged heated words, escalating the altercation as the umpire ran towards them to calm things down (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Abhishek Sharma top-edged a six and exchanged sharp words with Shubman Gill, igniting the contest and had a few choice words for Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi (PTI Photo)
Haris Rauf gestured 6-0 towards spectators, something that Pakistan players have been doing in the build-up of the game as well (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
At the end of the game, too, Indian batters shook each other’s hands as the Pakistan players shook hands amongst themselves. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
