Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill took India to a brilliant start in the second innings of their clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21. Abhishek slammed Shaheen Shah Afridi for a six off the first ball of the run-chase as he swivelled and pulled him behind.
Abhishek created history as he became the first bowler to hit Shaheen for a six off the first ball of his spell. Abhishek then gave Shaheen a mouthful as he walked towards Shubman Gill for a punch of gloves and stared the Pakistani speedster with anger.
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Abhishek and Gill put up a brilliant 105-run stand as they took the game away from Pakistan. Gill slammed 47 from 28 balls, while Abhishek hit a fiery fifty off just 24 balls, the fastest by an Indian against Pakistan in T20I cricket.
Abhishek's fiery 39-ball 74 and Gill's 47 put India on top even after Pakistan struck late with the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek.
India were handed a target of 172 after Pakistan did well in patches in their Super Four clash. The Men in Blue were a bit sloppy on the field, having dropped four catches. However, the bowlers did well enough to not let Pakistan get a strong total as they were restricted to 171/5. Sahibzada Farhan had slammed 58 from 45 balls after getting two lifelines. For India, Shivam Dube starred with the ball, taking 2/33 in his four overs.
India had earlier won the toss and had opted to bowl first. "We'll bowl first. Looks a nice track and yesterday there was dew. Since first round we were thinking we're playing a knockout tournament, nothing changes. That was a completely different wicket (in Abu Dhabi). Quite normal, just another game. Bumrah and Varun come back for Arshdeep and Harshit," India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.
"Would've bowled first as well. It's a new game, a new challenge. The mood is very normal. Pitch looks to be on the slower side. Want to start well with both bat and ball. Two changes. Hasan Nawaz and Khushdil Shah not playing," Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said at the toss.
