Abhishek Sharma takes a dig at Pakistan’s ‘Premium Fast Bowler’ after thrilling victory in the Asia Cup 2025 final

Team India successfully defended their Asia Cup title with a thrilling win over Pakistan in the final, with the men in blue securing victory with just a few deliveries to spare.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma, voted the tournament’s best player, discussed his approach in the powerplay, stating that he aims to capitalize on the field restriction overs. His remarks were perceived as a swipe at Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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“I’m going to utilise the powerplay,” Sharma said.

“Even any premium fast bowler coming in to bowl, if they come, I had a plan in my mind,” he added.

India won the toss and opted to bowl first, with Pakistan getting off to a flying start thanks to Shahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who put together 84 runs for the opening wicket. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Farhan, who scored 57 off 38 balls, after reaching his half-century.

Kuldeep Yadav bowled Saim Ayub for 14, before Axar Patel dismissed Mohamed Haris for a duck. Varun Chakravarthy then took Zaman for 46, while Patel dismissed Hussain Talat for 1.

Kuldeep dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 8 runs before picking up another wicket, Shaheen Afridi for a duck. Yadav completed his four-fer by removing Faheem Ashraf for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Haris Rauf for six before Mohammed Nawaz was dismissed for six runs to end Pakistan’s innings.

India did not get off to a good start, with Abhishek Sharma falling to Faheem Ashraf for 5 and skipper Suryakumar Yadav dismissed by Shaheen Afridi for 1. Ashraf struck again, removing Shubman Gill for 12, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Sanju Samson for 24.

Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube kept the chase alive with a 60-run partnership before Ashraf bowled Dube for 33. However, Varma then partnered Rinku Singh, who scored an unbeaten 4, while Varma finished on 69, and the duo completed the chase with two balls to spare.