Batting first, Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 58, while Faheem Ashraf\u2019s unbeaten 20 off eight balls gave Pakistan late momentum as they posted 171\/5 in 20 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In reply, Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight with a whirlwind 74 off 39 balls, smashing six fours and five sixes. Alongside Shubman Gill (47 off 28), he added 105 runs inside the first 10 overs to set up India\u2019s six-wicket victory and a strong start to their Super Four campaign.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSahibzada Farhan signalled an AK-47, but then Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma launched a BrahMos of their own with the bat \u2014 and Sharma even followed it with a flying kiss. That\u2019s how you do it. The Indian openers\u2019 counterattack was so destructive that Pakistan players were left bamboozled. There\u2019s \u2018dhulai\u2019 and then there\u2019s \u2018maha dhulai\u2019. This was the latter,\u201d Kaneria told IANS on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He further added, \"When you have players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill as openers, even 200 can look like a small total against them on such a wicket. Both are class players.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kaneria also criticised Pakistan\u2019s tendency to look for scapegoats after a defeat, this time pointing to Fakhar Zaman\u2019s dismissal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zaman had made a brisk start, flicking Bumrah for four and then driving him for another boundary. But his innings ended in the third over when he edged a slower delivery from Hardik Pandya to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, with the third umpire confirming the dismissal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kaneria also criticised Pakistan\u2019s tendency to look for scapegoats after a defeat, this time pointing to Fakhar Zaman\u2019s dismissal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will next face Bangladesh on Thursday, while Pakistan will aim to bounce back against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n