WATCH: Abhishek Sharma and Sufiyan Muqeem engage in heated exchange during IND-A vs PAK-A ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup 2024 game
New Delhi: Star Indian batter Abhishek Sharma shot a fierce glare at Pakistan A spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the latter celebrated his wicket with enthusiasm on Saturday (October 19). Sharma was competing for India A against Pakistan A during the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 match held at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat. He was dismissed on the very first ball of the seventh over, caught by Qasim Akram off Muqeem’s bowling. This match marked another chapter in Sharma’s T20I journey, having represented India in eight matches to date.
After Akram completed the catch to dismiss Sharma, Muqeem celebrated passionately, which did not sit well with Sharma, who responded with a cold stare. The on-field officials intervened to separate the two, and as Sharma walked off toward the pavilion, he was observed saying something to the 25-year-old Pakistani bowler.
The video of the incident between Abhishek Sharma and Sufiyan Muqeem is now trending widely on the internet.
Sufyan Muqeem showing Abhishek Sharma his real place after taking his wicket pic.twitter.com/TzomYBg71V
— not that thor (@babarfied) October 19, 2024
Abhishek Sharma opened for India A in the match, scoring 35 runs off 22 balls, including five fours and two sixes. He formed a solid partnership, adding 68 runs for the first wicket with Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed 36 runs. Their efforts helped India set a challenging total of 183 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
For India A, captain Tilak Varma was the top scorer, making 44 runs off 35 deliveries.
In response to the 184-run target, Pakistan A managed only 176 runs, losing seven wickets in their 20 overs, falling short by seven runs. For India A, Mumbai Indians pacer Anshul Kamboj took three wickets, while Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sindhu each dismissed two batters.
After their convincing victory over Pakistan A in the opening Group B match, India A will take on the United Arab Emirates on Monday (October 21). They are set to face Oman in their third match on Wednesday (October 23) at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat.