Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill were involved in multiple verbal skirmishes with Pakistan bowlers during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours encounter in Dubai on Sunday.
The duo put together a hundred-run opening partnership, putting India in command while chasing the 172-run target set by Pakistan.
Tempers flared after the first delivery of India’s innings after Abhishek hooked Shaheen Afridi’s bouncer over fine leg for a maximum. The pacer retorted at the Indian in frustration before Abhishek replied back.
Then, on the last delivery of the fifth over, Shubman pulled Haris Rauf through midwicket for a boundary and had a go at him. When Rauf turned around and tried to talk back to Shubman, Abhishek intervened and had a verbal exchange with the Pakistan pacer. Eventually, the umpire had to step in and separate the players.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf eventually nabbed Shubman on 47 in the 10th over, giving him a send-off with an aggressive celebration.
“They [the bowlers] were coming out to us without any reason. I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them,” Abhishek remarked in the post-match ceremony.
Published on Sep 21, 2025