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Irfan Pathan lauds Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill for India’s strong start in Asia Cup victory over Pakistan, highlighting their aggressive stand.
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma built a match-winning 105-run partnership vs Pakistan (Picture credit: AP)
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was effusive in praise of Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill after the duo gave India a strong base to build on while chasing 172 against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, which was a respectable score posted by Salman Ali Agha’s team.
If Shivam Dube’s double blows in the Pakistan innings’ back-10 opened the match for India, Abhishek and Gill (47 off 28 balls) set up the chase of 172 with a 105-run opening partnership.
It began with a hooked six by Abhishek off the very first ball from ace Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (0/40 in 3.5 overs) as he picked Abrar Ahmed for special treatment, sending him for four more maximums.
“It wasn’t a big score, but the pressure is still there. The way they started in the power play was outstanding. Scoring 69 runs in the first six overs means taking the game far away from the opposition,” Pathan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“Shubman Gill matched Abhishek Sharma today and showed his class and power. He showed his timing and aggression. Even Abhishek was showing aggression,” Pathan said.
Abhishek was brutal and beautiful in equal measure during his scintillating 74 as India made a tricky chase look comfortable, winning an ill-tempered Super 4 contest of the Asia Cup against Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai.
In the same video, Pathan reflected that the gap between India and Pakistan in cricket is huge.
“The difference and gap between Pakistan cricket and India is clearly visible. The gap is very big. When I said that even a Mumbai team can beat Pakistan, I didn’t say it just like that,” Pathan said.
“It was genuine cricketing sense. They (Pakistan) don’t have that quality in batting. How did they not get to 200, as it was a good pitch? These skills aren’t seen in them. The mindset that they can beat India isn’t there at all,” Pathan added.
September 22, 2025, 09:30 IST
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