Mon Sep 22 06:16:36 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Abhishek Sharma Blasts Pakistan’s Aggression, Powers India to Asia Cup Victory**

COLOMBO – India opener Abhishek Sharma unleashed a brutal assault on Pakistan’s bowlers in their Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday, smashing 74 off just 39 balls to help India chase down a 172-run target with six wickets to spare. Sharma attributed his ultra-aggressive approach to what he perceived as unnecessary belligerence from the Pakistani players.

“The way they (Pakistan players) were coming at us for no reason, I didn’t like it at all,” Sharma said in the post-match presentation. “This is the only way I could give medicine to them.”

Sharma and Shubman Gill (who shared a 105 run partnership) reportedly had run-ins with Pakistani pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the match.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav praised the opening pair’s “fire and ice combination” and said the team showed great character to bounce back after a shaky start to their bowling innings. He also light-heartedly noted the team’s dropped catches, mentioning fielding coach T Dilip will send players an email about the dropped catches.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha admitted that India’s aggressive batting in the Power Play was the turning point of the match. “In the Power Play they took the game away from us,” Agha said. “We are yet to play a perfect game, but we are getting there.”

Despite Jasprit Bumrah having an off-day, Shivam Dube helped bail India out. Team India’s win keeps them firmly in contention for the Asia Cup title.

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