Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan was effusive in his appreciation for Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill after their excellent opening partnership helped lay the groundwork for India's six-wicket victory against Pakistan in their Super Four stage encounter at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.

Pathan also ridiculed Pakistan’s team mindset and highlighted the huge chasm between the skill set and quality of cricket played by India and Pakistan.

In the first 10 overs, the duo smashed Pakistani bowlers all over the Dubai stadium, as India was faced with chasing Pakistan's 172 runs. Pakistan scored 171/6 in 20 overs after being put in to bat first, owing to Sahibzada Farhan's fifty.

Abhishek Sharma started with a six off the first ball bowled by Shaheen Afridi and continued hammering the Pakistan bowlers. They lost their cool and even tried to sledge Abhishek, with Haris Rauf getting into the youngster’s face, but in the end, the Indian southpaw had the last laugh.

Sharma made 74 with 6 fours and 5 sixes, adding 105 runs with Shubman Gill, who made 47 runs with 8 fours in 28 balls. Though Pakistan thought they had a chance when they got three quick wickets, Tilak Varma’s 19-ball 30* ended those hopes as India won by 6 wickets.

Irfan Pathan reviewed the game on his YouTube channel and lavished rich praise on Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma for crushing the famed Pakistani bowling lineup.

“It wasn’t a big score, but the pressure is still there. The way they started in the power play was outstanding. Scoring 69 runs in the first six overs means taking the game far away from the opposition. Shubman Gill matched Abhishek Sharma today and showed his class and power. He showed his timing and aggression. Even Abhishek was showing aggression," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

In the same video, Pathan reflected that the gap between India and Pakistan in cricket is huge. He even stated that the quality of cricket played by Pakistan is so poor that even an Indian domestic side like Mumbai can defeat them.

“The difference and gap between Pakistan and India cricket is clearly visible. The gap is very big. When I said that even a Mumbai team can beat Pakistan, I didn’t say it just like that. It was genuine cricketing sense. They (Pakistan) don’t have that quality in batting. How did they not get to 200, as it was a good pitch? These skills aren’t seen in them. The mindset that they can beat India isn’t there at all," Pathan added.

This was India’s second win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.