Dubai: India opener Abhishek Sharma, adjudged Player of the Match, said his knock was driven by determination to stand up for his side after sensing provocation from the opposition.
"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 said in post-match presentation here.
Reflecting on his century stand with Shubman Gill in the Second Asia Cup Super 4 match, the left-hander said their bond goes back to their early playing days. "We have been playing since school, we enjoy each other’s company. We thought we would do it, and today was the day. The way he was giving it back, I really enjoyed it," he added.
Abhishek credited the team management for encouraging fearless cricket. "If you see someone playing like this, it’s because the team supports me and they back me. That's the intent I show, and I am practising really hard. If it’s my day, I am going to win it for my team," he said.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha, while gracious in defeat, acknowledged the areas his team needs to improve. "We are yet to play a perfect game, but we are getting there. A great game, but in the powerplay they took the game away from us."
"Looking back at the position we were in after 10 overs, we could have got 10-15 more. 170-180 is a good total, but in the powerplay they batted well; that was the difference," Agha said.
He highlighted the positives in Pakistan’s performance. "If you see the bowlers are going for runs, you need to change it — that’s how it goes in T20s. There’s a lot to take away — the way Fakhar batted, Farhan batted, and Harry bowled. We are looking forward to the next game against Sri Lanka."
