New Delhi: India started their Asia T20 Emerging Cup campaign against Pakistan in Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman on October 19, Saturday. India won the toss and elected to bat first, Prabhsimran Singh and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings for India.
Prabhsimran and Abhishek dismantled the Pakistani bowling attack in the powerplay as both added 68 runs in the batting powerplay. In the last over of the powerplay, Abhishek took on Pakistani Abaas Afridi and smashed 25 runs. Abhishek smashed two sixes and two fours while Prabhsimran also smashed a boundary in the over.
Both started the innings sensibly adding just 20 runs in the first 3 overs, but after that, Prabhsimran initiated the attack and both added fireworks against Pakistan. Abhishek was dismissed right after the powerplay by Sufiyan Mukeem.
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Remembering gautham gambhir 🔥
death stare from Abhishek Sharma💀🔥#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/cgveRqIsFc
— 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗢𝗡 🐉 (@Dragonwarbegins) October 19, 2024
After the wicket, Mukeem gave a fiery send-off to Abhishek, which Abhishek didn’t like, and gave a death stare to Mukeem. The umpire came in the middle by sending Abhishek to the pavilion as he was giving some serious words to Mukeem.
Abhishek didn’t have a great run in T20I cricket as in his last tour against Bangladesh he didn’t cross the 20-run mark once in the series. Abhishek is the most experienced player in the Indian A side and will look to take responsibility.
After the blast from the Indian openers, both departed right after the powerplay. Abhishek was dismissed on 35 runs off 22 balls and Prabhsimran was dismissed for 36 runs in just 19 balls with over 189 strike-rate. Now India skipper Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera are in the crease to take India on a sensible score.
India placed in group B alongside Pakistan, UAE and hosts Oman. Top two teams will qualify for the semi-final stage in the Emerging Asia Cup.
