WATCH: Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqueem engages in verbal battle with Abhishek Sharma in Emerging Asia Cup 2024

Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh provided India a strong start against Pakistan in the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup. Before being removed in the seventh over by Sufiyan Muqueem, Abhishek scored 35 runs off of 22 deliveries. After scoring 68 runs in the powerplay, the Men in Blue appeared perfect, but India lost Abhishek’s vital wicket shortly after.

He attempted to play it over point, but Abhishek was sent back to the pavilion after a brilliant catch by Qasim Akram. But Sufiyan, who took the wicket, chose to verbally dismiss him, which enraged the Indian opener.

The umpires stepped in when the 24-year-old chose to halt his journey back and react to Sufiyan Muqueem.

Remarkably, Sufiyan only appeared in three Twenty20 International matches for Pakistan, taking four wickets at an economy rate of 6.10. Other than playing for the senior team, he made an appearance for Pakistan at the Asian Games.

To win, Pakistan needs 184 runs.

In the first innings at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman, India had a great time at bat. Tilak Varma, the skipper, was an anchor, scoring 44 runs off 35 balls, while opener Prabhsimran Singh destroyed 36 runs off just 19 deliveries. Nehal Wadhera, who batted at number four, scored 25 runs off of 22 deliveries.

From that point on, the Men in Blue had trouble. Although Ramandeep Singh scored 17 runs off of 11 balls, Ayush Badoni and Nishant Sandhu fell short. India scored 183 runs in the first innings, while Rasikh Salam of Jammu claimed a spectacular six to end the innings.

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In four overs, Sufiyan claimed two wickets for 28 runs for Pakistan. Given their enormous responsibility, the attention will now be on the Indian bowlers. For India to succeed, players like Rashik and Vaibhav Arora will be essential.