At the Asia Cup at present, Abhishek Sharma has astonished the sports fraternity including former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq with his superior batting skills, especially against Salman Ali Agha and Co. at UAE.
In the Super-Four game between Pakistan and Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21, Abhishek scored a boiling 74 on 39 balls. The Punjab batsman hit 6 fours and 5 sixes and he dazzled the stadium and assisted India to score 172 runs in the least number of overs that is, 18.5 overs.
During the first international cricket match against Pakistan, Misbah praised the level of skill and his demeanor to the extent that he did not seem to be under pressure at all. In the Asia Cup Group Stage earlier this month, the southpaw had struck 31 off with a total of 13 balls. It seemed that Abhishek Sharma was having a net session according to Misbah.
“The kind of skill level and temperament he has is amazing. First time against Pakistan, it did not look like he was under pressure. Looked like he was playing in the nets. When the ball lands in the zone, he just calmly sends it away,” Misbah said while speaking on Tapmad after the game.
The former cricket player who is now an analyst also highlighted how Abhishek eased the burden on his teammates by taking on Pakistan’s top bowlers at crucial times.
“The most important thing is that he always tries to take on the main bowler to put them under pressure. That really disrupts the team.”
Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah clarified how Abhishek targets various opposing fast bowler lines and lengths as part of a well-defined game plan.
“The main weapon for a fast bowler is the hard length. But if there is width, then you are punished. Shaheen tried hitting those hard lengths and Abhishek did respect those. But once the ball went short or full, he just made room and smacked it.”
Misbah-ul-Haq
Abhishek is the continental competition’s highest run scorer, with 173 runs in four innings at an average of 43.25 and a strike rate of 208.43.
