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Abhishek Sharma Shatters Records Against Pakistan; Goes Past Virat Kohli In Unique Feat

Rajgeeta Yadav

Abhishek Sharma during India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]Abhishek Sharma during India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]

On September 14, Abhishek Sharma lit up the Dubai International Stadium with his explosive batting against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. The young opener showed why he is the world’s number one T20I batter, smashing runs at lightning speed and breaking multiple records along the way.

Chasing a small target of 128 after Pakistan were restricted to 127/9, Abhishek gave India the perfect start. Facing Shaheen Afridi in the very first over, he hit a four and a six off the first two balls. 

He didn’t stop there, adding another six and three more boundaries before getting out. His knock of 31 runs off just 13 balls came at a strike rate of 238.46, which is the fastest ever by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is.

This record broke the previous best set by his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, who had scored 72 off 36 balls (strike rate of 200) against Pakistan in 2012.

Highest SR for India Against Pakistan in T20I innings

Player
Strike Rate
Venue
Year
Abhishek Sharma238Dubai2025
Yuvraj Singh200Ahmedabad2012
Hardik Pandya194Dubai2022
Rohit Sharma188Johannesburg2007

Abhishek also set another milestone, scoring the most runs by an Indian in the powerplay (first six overs) against Pakistan in T20Is. His 31 runs went past Virat Kohli’s 29, made at the same venue in 2022.

Most Runs by an Indian in Powerplay vs Pakistan (T20Is):

Player
Runs In Powerplay
Venue
Abhishek Sharma31Dubai
Virat Kohli29Dubai
Rohit Sharma28Dubai
KL Rahul28Dubai
Ajinkya Rahane25Ahmedabad

Although Abhishek fell in the fourth over to Saim Ayub, his fiery cameo gave India full control of the match. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav (47* off 37) and Shivam Dube finished the chase comfortably, with India winning by seven wickets and 25 balls to spare.

India’s bowlers had earlier done the job by putting Pakistan under pressure, taking regular wickets and holding them to just 127.

With this win, India started their Asia Cup campaign in style, winning two matches consecutively.  Their next group-stage match is against Oman on Friday, September 19, again in Dubai.