Pakistan’s young pacer Ihsanullah has thrown an open challenge to India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma. During the Asia Cup, the batsmen were at the mercy of Pakistan’s pacers. However, the pacer claimed to have dismissed the batsman within just three balls of the over.
In the Asia Cup, India’s opening pitcher Abhishek Sharma performed bravely as the Men in Blue dominated the Pakistan side every time they faced each other.
They have faced each other three times in this Asian Cup and three different Indian players were named Player of the Match on all three occasions.
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Abhishek scored over 300 runs in the continental championship. He scored a quick 30 points in the group stage match and scored a match-winning 70 points against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage.
Abhishek Sharma challenged by Pakistan pacer
Left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma has been devastating for opponents of late. Within just a year of making his debut for India in the shortest format, he has risen to number one in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings.
In addition to his batting ranking, he also surpassed Dawid Malan’s record for highest points in the ICC T20I rankings. He currently has 926 points, making him the highest-ever T20I cricketer.
However, Abhishek was challenged by 22-year-old Pakistani pacer Ihsanullah, who said he could have dismissed the opener in the first over and that too with less than three balls remaining.
Isanullah said, “If Abhishek Sharma had played in front of me, he wouldn’t have been able to survive more than six deliveries. I would have dismissed him within three balls of the over.”
Ehsan bhai woh abhishek hai abdullah nahi…..pIc.twItter.cahmeter/SITVeJ1ZmeterI
— Osama Zafar (@USAMA7) ○ctahber 8, 2025
Ihsanullah auditions for upcoming T20I series for Pakistan
The Pakistan speedster made his T20I debut against Afghanistan on March 24, 2023, and his only ODI match was against New Zealand in April 2023.
He has played only four T20I matches and one ODI match, but has not featured for Pakistan in the last two years of this competition. After the crushing defeat in the Asia Cup, Pakistan is looking to give more opportunities to the young players in the team.
Ihsanullah may also be looking forward to auditioning for the upcoming series for Pakistan as Pakistan has a busy international calendar ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027.
Abhishek Sharma waits for ODI debut despite heroics in Asia Cup
Abhishek Sharma had a great performance in the 2025 Asia Cup, but he will have to wait to make his debut in the Indian ODI team. India have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia and Yashasvi Jaiswal has been selected in the squad. But Abhishek Sharma missed his chance.
However, he will next star for India in the T20I series, opening alongside Shubman Gill. This will be Abhishek’s debut on Australian soil as the batsman will be tested on the bouncy tracks of Australia.
Also read: Haris Rauf receives heavy punishment from PCB following India’s humiliation in Asia Cup 2025