This time, glares and words dominated, with the umpire even stepping in to calm tempers.
India opener Abhishek Sharma, who top-scored with a blazing 74, admitted he didn’t hold back today.
“Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team.” Abhishek, who had exchanges with both Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, said.
The match saw tensions rise from the very first over when Abhishek pulled Afridi for six and exchanged words with the left-arm pacer. Gill too joined in, mimicking Aamir Sohail’s famous gesture after driving Afridi through the covers. Rauf’s arrival further fuelled the heat, with both openers engaging verbally until the umpire intervened.
On the field, however, Abhishek and Gill’s 105-run stand made the difference in India’s chase of 172. Abhishek’s innings set up a six-wicket win, and his muted celebration at dismissal told its own story. Just like in the group stage, the match ended without the two teams shaking hands.
