**Abhishek Sharma Shines Against Pakistan in Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 21, 2025, 11:53 pm*
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a spectacular performance against Pakistan in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Super 4 clash between the two cricketing giants saw Pakistan post a competitive total of 171/5 in their 20 overs. In response, Abhishek, alongside Shubman Gill, put on a commanding 105-run opening partnership.
India, however, faced a setback when Abhishek was dismissed at 123/3. The talented batter finished with an impressive 74 runs off 39 balls.
### Abhishek’s Gutsy Knock
Abhishek set the tone for India’s chase by smashing a six off the very first ball, targeting Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi. From there, he never looked back. With Shubman Gill at the other end, the duo dominated the Pakistani bowling attack, helping India reach 69 runs in the powerplay.
Abhishek reached his half-century in just 24 balls, doing so by the 8th over. His aggressive approach kept India in the hunt until he finally fell for 74.
### First-Ball Sixes on Two Occasions
Notably, Abhishek has now hit six off the first ball of India’s innings twice in T20 internationals. Prior to this match, he achieved the feat during India’s Asia Cup Group A game against UAE on September 10, also held in Dubai.
According to Cricbuzz, Abhishek is the **only Indian batter to hit first-ball sixes twice in T20Is**. Other Indian players like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson have managed it once.
### Milestone: 50+ T20I Sixes
Abhishek’s innings included six fours and five sixes, helping him exceed the milestone of 50 sixes in T20 internationals. The second six of his innings marked the record, bringing his tally to 53 sixes.
### Second-Fastest Fifty in India vs Pakistan T20Is
Abhishek’s 24-ball fifty is the **second-fastest fifty in all India vs Pakistan T20 matches**. Here’s how it ranks:
– 23 balls – Mohd Hafeez, Ahmedabad 2012
– 24 balls – Abhishek Sharma, Dubai 2025*
– 29 balls – Yuvraj Singh, Ahmedabad 2012
– 32 balls – Iftikhar Ahmed, Melbourne 2022
– 33 balls – Misbah-ul-Haq, Durban 2007
### Highest Opening Stand for India vs Pakistan (T20Is)
The 105-run stand between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill is now the highest opening partnership for India against Pakistan in T20 internationals. The previous record was 77 runs, set by Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane in Bengaluru, 2012.
### Additional Stats and Highlights
– This was Abhishek’s **3rd T20I fifty** in his 21st international T20 appearance.
– He has scored 708 runs at an average of 35.40 in T20 internationals, with a strike rate of 197.21.
– According to ESPNcricinfo, Abhishek played his **150th T20 match** (including domestic leagues).
– Across all T20 matches, he has accumulated 4,207 runs at an average of 31.87 from 146 innings.
– This innings also marked his 23rd fifty in all T20 formats, including 7 centuries.
– Abhishek now owns 255 sixes in T20 cricket overall.
Abhishek Sharma’s outstanding performance in the high-pressure encounter against Pakistan highlights his rising stature in the world of T20 cricket. Fans will be eagerly awaiting more fireworks from this promising southpaw in the upcoming matches.
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