IND vs PAK: Abhishek Sharma’s first-ball six ends Shaheen Afridi’s 70-match flawless T20I streak | Asia Cup 2025

Divy Dubey

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IND vs PAK: Abhishek Sharma’s first-ball six ends Shaheen Afridi’s 70-match flawless T20I streak | Asia Cup 2025 image

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India and Pakistan faced off in the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2025 this Sunday. The match carried the usual intensity of the storied rivalry with fans on edge as players took the field.

India - chasing a challenging total, looked to set the tone from the outset while Pakistan relied on their strike bowlers to maintain control. Every over mattered and early momentum was expected to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

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Abhishek Sharma makes history with first-ball six against Shaheen Afridi

Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma created history by hitting Pakistan's pacer Shaheen Afridi for a six on the very first ball of the chase. This marked the first time in T20I cricket that a batter had cleared the ropes off Afridi's opening delivery.

The left-arm fast bowler had delivered the first over in T20Is 70 times prior without conceding a six on the first ball. Abhishek had previously started another chase with a six against UAE earlier in the tournament.

More: What is India's T20I chasing record against Pakistan? Unbeaten stat revealed during Asia Cup 2025

India's pace attack faced a testing day. Hardik Pandya leaked 29 runs in three overs while Jasprit Bumrah went for 45 runs in four overs without taking a wicket.

Varun Chakravarthy offered better control but failed to break through - conceding only 25 runs in four overs. Shivam Dube provided some respite with two wickets for 33 runs in his full quota.

More: Fakhar Zaman Sanju Samson catch controversy: Was the Pakistan batter actually out in the IND vs PAK Super 4, Asia Cup 2025

The match also witnessed tensions at the toss with India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav again bypassing a handshake with Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha. As defending champions of both the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup, India entered the contest with high expectations.

Abhishek's explosive start not only set the tone for the chase but also reinforced his position as a potential opener for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.

India now looks to build on this momentum as the Asia Cup Super 4 stage progresses, with fans eagerly watching Sharma’s impact at the top of the order.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.