Abhishek Sharma responds to personal attacks from Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during IND-PAK Asia Cup 2025 match

The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match between India and Pakistan had all the drama fans could ask for, both on and off the field. While Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings dominated headlines, the Indian opener has now revealed that the game also featured a streak of personal attacks from Pakistan’s pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. According to Sharma, these verbal jabs were not just directed at him but at other Indian players as well, aiming to unsettle the batting side.

Sharma, who scored a blistering 74 runs off 39 balls, explained that the situation required composure and focus. "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.

Also read: Abhishek Sharma’s first-ball six vs Shaheen Afridi springs joy: Family reacts after IND-vs-PAK Asia Cup win

The verbal tension began early in the match. Sharma’s first-ball six off Shaheen Afridi immediately set the tone, signaling that India was not going to be intimidated. Despite the aggressive body language and verbal jabs from Pakistan, Sharma and his partners remained unfazed, building a match-defining partnership. At one stage, after a boundary from Shubman Gill, Haris Rauf advanced toward Sharma in an aggressive manner, prompting intervention from the umpires to maintain decorum on the field.

Turning pressure into performance by Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma

Rather than letting the aggression affect their mindset, Sharma and the Indian batsmen used it as motivation. They focused on running hard between the wickets, rotating strike efficiently, and punishing loose deliveries. The resulting 105-run partnership between Sharma and Gill became the backbone of India’s chase of 172, ultimately securing a six-wicket victory. Sharma emphasized that responding through cricket rather than words is the best way to handle such situations, a lesson for players facing intense rivalries in high-stakes matches.

Read Also: Asia Cup 2025 Super Four fixture, schedule, and streaming details.

The incident sheds light on the pressures of India-Pakistan contests, where on-field provocations are common. Sharma’s ability to remain composed, combined with his powerful stroke play, turned what could have been a distraction into a positive, highlighting the importance of focus, mental toughness, and professionalism in cricket’s most anticipated fixtures.