Abhishek Sharma Accuses Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf For Personal Attacks In IND-PAK Clash

Originally posted on Cricfit | By Sarvang Bhola | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 7:37 AM ET

The Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash between India and Pakistan featured some fiery exchanges, with openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma engaging in verbal battles with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Despite the chatter, the Pakistani quicks couldn’t deliver with the ball, as India comfortably chased down 172, sealing a six-wicket win with seven balls to spare.

Abhishek, who smashed 74 off 39 deliveries, later revealed that the Pakistan bowlers resorted to “personal attacks,” which prompted him and Gill to hit back with their bats. Abhishek set the tone for the chase by pulling Shaheen’s very first ball for a six, sparking the heated exchanges.

Rauf also targeted Abhishek verbally, and tempers flared further when Gill struck a boundary, with the Pakistan pacer charging toward Abhishek before umpires Gazi Sohel and Ahmad Shah Pakteen intervened.

“I felt today was the day to bring out such a performance. Personally, I didn’t like how they were making personal attacks after every ball. I felt it was important to give an answer to them,” Abhishek said in a conversation with Gaurav Kapur, Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan on the Sony Sports Network.

“This is not how you play cricket. Shubman and I just had a chat that we will give an answer after winning the match,” he added.

India Cruise To Comfortable Chase Of 172

India’s openers, Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, stitched together a 105-run partnership for the first wicket, leaving Pakistan with little chance once the breakthrough finally came. Though Haris Rauf picked up two wickets, it wasn’t enough as India comfortably chased the target. Earlier, Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan side had posted 171/5 in their 20 overs.

The Indian bowlers pulled things back well after Pakistan threatened to cross 200 at one stage. Sahibzada Farhan was the standout with 58 off 45 balls. India, however, were sloppy in the field, dropping four catches, while Jasprit Bumrah had a rare off day, going for 45 runs in his four overs.

India will now face Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 24, while Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in a must-win clash on Tuesday, September 23.

This article first appeared on Cricfit and was syndicated with permission.

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