NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma delivered a sensational and historic performance, guiding India to a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their high-stakes Super Four clash of the 2025 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The 25-year-old left-handed batsman not only dominated the opposition bowling attack with his aggressive style but also cemented his place in the record books by shattering Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record for the fastest T20I half-century by an Indian against Pakistan.
Sharma reached his magnificent fifty in just 24 balls, eclipsing Yuvraj’s previous best of 29 balls, a record set way back in the 2012 T20I encounter in Ahmedabad. His blistering innings was unfazed by the Pakistan bowlers’ attempts to disrupt the Indian rhythm with verbal exchanges and aggressive tactics.
Fastest Half-Centuries for India vs. Pakistan in T20Is
| Player | Balls taken |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 24 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 29 |
Displaying remarkable composure and skill, Abhishek, alongside vice-captain Shubman Gill, formed a crucial 105-run opening partnership. This formidable stand effectively countered both the challenging bowling and the constant sledging, providing a rock-solid foundation for India’s successful chase of 172 runs.
Abhishek’s incredible knock of 74 runs off just 39 balls also saw him surpass Yuvraj for the highest individual score by an Indian batsman against Pakistan in T20Is. While the legendary Virat Kohli still holds the top spot with his unbeaten 82* in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne and an earlier 78*, and Gautam Gambhir scored 75, Abhishek’s 74 places him fourth on this prestigious list of top performances.
Most Runs for India vs. Pakistan in T20Is
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 82* |
| Virat Kohli | 78* |
| Gautam Gambhir | 75 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 74 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 72 |
This stellar performance further highlights Abhishek’s exceptional form in the tournament. He currently stands as the highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup with an impressive 173 runs in just 4 matches, maintaining an average of 43.25 and an astonishing strike-rate of 208.43.