Team India opener Abhishek Sharma was indirectly excavated at Pakistan’s fast bowler Shaheen Afridi following the recent Asian Cup 2025 Finals in Dubai. Abhishek also said the bowler’s reputation would not make him decide on his batting, and aims to make the most of his power play field restrictions.
India won a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28th. Abhishek Sharma, who played a key role in the bat throughout the competition, was selected as a player in the tournament.
Watch: Abhishek Sharma laughs at Pakistani “Premium First Bowler” Shaheen Afridi
In his post-match presentation, Abhishek Sharma said he had a clear plan for a power play and wanted to make the most of the field restrictions regardless of the bowler. The 25-year-old added that he intends to attack from the first ball, even against a premium first bowler.
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“If that’s the case, I had a plan. (About adjustments to various surfaces). If you also get a spinner or something from a power play, you will use that power play. If you see a bowler, a high-speed bowler, or even a premium first bowler,” Abhishek told former New Zealander Pacer Simon Dur.
“If they came, no matter who the bowlers were, I had a plan to go from the first ball. That helps to affect my team. That’s what happened,” he added.
Abhi’s expression after the word “premium first bowler” 😂🤣pic.twitter.com/kcihhqyy9m
– Sunriser Army (@srhorangearmy) September 28, 2025
Abhishek Sharma has run the stellar Asian Cup 2025 campaign
Abhishek Sharma has run the stellar Asian Cup 2025 campaign. He finished the tournament with 200 strike rates, including 314 runs in seven matches, with 44.85 in seven matches and a half-century of three.
The Punjab left-hander consistently gave India a strong start during the power play. He registered over 30 runs in six of his seven games, with the only exception being the final of Dubai International Cricket Stadium against Pakistan.
In the first half of the tournament, Abhishek and Shaheen Shah Afridi were involved in a fierce exchange during the Super 4S match, following six offs from Shaheen’s first ball. In the final, Sharma broke the boundaries of Shaheen’s opening, but was fired for five runs by Faheem Ashraf.
It wasn’t easy for the opener – Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma has won his spot with the Indian T20I team following the impressive 2024 IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the T20IS, the left-handed became the regular opening game for the national team.
Abhishek revealed that it would be difficult to infiltrate along the way after the T20 World Cup 2024 victory. He believes consistent support from his coaches and captains helped him execute and perform the game plan.
“I couldn’t join this team after winning the World Cup, but when I saw it, I wanted to play the game and I had to show my intentions from the first ball, so it was my plan. I worked really hard about it.
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