Pakistan’s young pacer Ihsanullah has thrown an open challenge to the Indian left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma. The batter toyed with the Pakistani pacers during the Asia Cup; however, the pacer claimed to have dismissed the batter within just 3 balls of an over.
The Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was in some swashbuckling form in the Asia Cup, as the Men in Blue dominated the Pakistan side every time they played against each other.
They have played thrice in this Asia Cup, and three different Indian players were the Player of the Match on the three occasions.
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Abhishek scored 300+ runs in the continental championship. He scored a quickfire 30 in the group-stage games and then went on to score a match-winning 70 against Pakistan in the Super-4 stage.
Abhishek Sharma was challenged by a Pakistani pacer
Abhishek Sharma, the left-handed batter, has been devastating for the opposition in recent times. Within just 1 year of making his debut for India in the shortest format of the game, he has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting rankings.
Alongside the batting rankings, he has also surpassed Dawid Malan’s record for the highest rating points in the ICC T20I Rankings. He now has 926 points, the highest ever for a T20I cricketer.
However, Abhishek has been challenged by a 22-year-old Pakistani pacer, Ihsanullah, as he has stated that he could have dismissed the opener in his very first over, and that also within just 3 balls of his spell.
Ihsanullah said, “Had Abhishek Sharma played in front of me, he would not have survived for more than 6 deliveries. I would have dismissed him within 3 balls of my over.”
Ihsan bhai wo Abhishek hai Abdullah nahi….. pic.twitter.com/SlTVeJ1ZmI
— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) October 8, 2025
Ihsanullah auditions for the upcoming T20I series for Pakistan
The Pakistan speedster had made his T20I debut back on 24th March 2023 against Afghanistan, and his only ODI match came against New Zealand back in April 2023.
He has played in 4 T20I matches and just one ODI game, and has not gotten an opportunity to feature for Pakistan in the last 2 years of the competition. After their crashing defeat in the Asia Cup, Pakistan are looking to hand further chances to the youngsters in the side.
Ihsanullah might also be looking forward to auditioning for the upcoming series for Pakistan, as they have a busy international calendar ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and the ODI World Cup 2027.
Abhishek Sharma awaits ODI debut despite Asia Cup heroics
Despite his stunning form in the Asia Cup 2025, Abhishek Sharma has to wait for his debut in the Indian ODI side. India has announced their squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Australia, and Yashasvi Jaiswal has been picked for the team; however, Abhishek Sharma has been snubbed of an opportunity.
However, he will next be seen starring for India in the T20I series and will be opening alongside Shubman Gill. This will be Abhishek’s debut on Australian soil, as the batter will be tested on the bouncy tracks of Australia.
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