Abhishek Sharma made 74 in 39 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes.
He even bettered the record for fastest T20I fifty against Pakistan, previously held by his idol, Yuvraj Singh. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Abhishek in the 13th over while he was boldly punishing the Pakistani attack. However, his knock and Shubman Gill’s 47 and their 105-run opening partnership were enough for India to thrash Pakistan by 6 wickets.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag gave Abhishek some insightful advice as he spoke to the announcers after winning Player of the Match.
The young player was instructed by the former opener to convert any score of 70 or 80 into a hundred. According to Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar gave him the advice because he didn't want him to regret losing out on centuries later.
"Many, many congratulations, and I would say whenever you reach seventy, don’t miss out on converting it into a hundred. Because this is something Sunil Gavaskar once told me—when you retire, you’ll think back about those innings where you got out on seventy or eighty. If only I had converted those, I might have ended up with so many more centuries in my career. These opportunities don’t come again and again. When you’re batting well, on the day that it’s your day, try to finish unbeaten—that’s always better. Keep that in mind," said Sehwag on Sony Sports Network.
In jest, Gaurav Kapur informed Sehwag that his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, would provide the same guidance to Abhishek. Abhishek Sharma revealed that Yuvraj always reminds him to allow others to hit while they're out in the middle.
"That’s 100 percent certain, because he always says—when you’ve hit a six, then give the other guy a chance to hit too. I’m working on that," said Abhishek.
India will next play Bangladesh on Wednesday in Super Fours.