Asia Cup 2025: "It looked like he was playing in the nets.." Misbah Ul Haq lavishes praise on Indian opener Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma made 74 with six fours and five sixes in 39 balls.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma received massive praise from former Pakistan captain Misbah Ul Haq after he thrashed the Pakistani bowlers in the recent Super Four stage match 4 of Asia Cup 2025.

This match was played in Dubai on Sunday, September 21, and saw Pakistan batting first after losing the toss and putting up 171/5 in 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan made 58, Saim Ayub made 21, and Faheem Ashraf made 20*. Shivam Dube had taken 2/33 in his four overs.

In response, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill then hammered the Pakistani bowlers in the first ten overs, adding 105 runs in 9.4 overs. Shubman Gill made 47 in 28 balls with eight fours to his name before being dismissed by Faheem Ashraf. Abhishek Sharma, who had started by hitting Shaheen Afridi for a six off the first ball of the Indian innings, scored 74 in 39 balls with six fours and five sixes.

India won the game by six wickets, with Tilak Varma scoring 30* in 19 balls, taking them over the finish line.

“The kind of skill level and temperament he has is amazing.”- Misbah Ul Haq on Abhishek Sharma

After India’s opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a blazing blow against Pakistan, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq showered him with adulation. The 25-year-old led India to a six-wicket victory by destroying Pakistan’s bowling attack, which included Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.

Throughout the tournament, the left-hander had been making brief appearances, but this time he turned his start into a dominant innings. Even the Pakistani team was pleased by his stroke play, as Misbah demonstrated his composure and talent in such a stressful match.

“The kind of skill level and temperament he has is amazing. The first time against Pakistan, it did not look like he was under pressure. It looked like he was playing in the nets. When the ball lands in the zone, he just calmly sends it away,” Misbah said while speaking on Tapmad after the game.

The former captain also mentioned how Abhishek made it easier for his teammates by taking on Pakistan’s top bowlers at crucial moments.

“The most important thing is that he always tries to take on the main bowler to put them under pressure. That really disrupts the team,” Misbah added.

Misbah went on to say that Abhishek’s offensive style incorporates a keen understanding of game circumstances in addition to blind hitting. Misbah emphasized that despite punishing anything loose, the child respected the good deliveries.

“The main weapon for a fast bowler is the hard length. But if there is width, then you are punished. Shaheen tried hitting those hard lengths, and Abhishek respected those. But once the ball went short or full, he just made room and smacked it,” Misbah explained.

India will next face Bangladesh in Super Fours on Wednesday in Dubai.

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