"Fearless, fearless and fearless" was head coach Gautam Gambhir's reaction after India engineered a six-wicket triumph with authority for the second time against arch-rival Pakistan at the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. While the group stage fixture was one-sided, with a 7-wicket win for India, Pakistan posed a significant threat with the bat in the first innings during the Super Fours clash. Sahibzada Farhan's composed 58-run knock, riddled with luck, and Faheem Ashraf's quick-fire cameo of 20* off eight deliveries propelled Pakistan to 171/5, the highest they have managed against India in T20Is while batting first.
"Congratulations Team India for defeating Pakistan once again in Asia Cup. Well done, Abhishek Sharma and @ShubmanGill. @BCCI #AsiaCupT20," Shukla wrote on X in his congratulatory post for captain Suryakumar Yadav and his troops.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan didn't shy away from taking a direct jibe at the neighbouring nation and wrote on X, "Hanji, kesa raha Sunday?" In another post, he wrote, "Well done, team India. You are class above all the other teams."
Ex-India spinner Harbhajan Singh summed up India's splendid performance in simple words and wrote on X, "Well done Team India, domination #INDvPAK."
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar felt even after an improved performance, India's quality was too much for Pakistan to handle and wrote on X, "Well done Abhishek, well done Gill, but let's not forget Dube's contribution today. Crucial. Pakistan was better tonight, but India just has too much ability! #AsiaCupT20."
Abhishek and Gill's mentor, Yuvraj Singh, emphasised the value of the partnership that the duo forged and wrote on Instagram, "An opening stand full of intent, timing and composure that set the tone for victory! Well played, boys. Keep going."
After India extended its unbeaten run to four in the ongoing tournament, the hot favourites will square off against Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Pakistan will hunt for its lost mojo against Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)