<p>Dubai, Sep 21 (PTI) India opener Abhishek Sharma said he did not like the needless belligerence of Pakistan players in their Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday, and an ultra-aggressive batting approach was the best possible way to reply to an in-the-face opposition.</p> <p>Abhishek slammed a 39-ball 74 and shared a 105-run opening wicket stance with Shubman Gill as India surmounted a 172-run target with six wickets to spare here.</p> <p>"Today it was very simple, the way they (Pakistan players) were coming at us for no reason, I didn't like it at all and this is the only way (his aggressive batting) I could give medicine to them," said Abhishek in the post-match presentation.</p> <p>Both Abhishek and Gill had run-ins with Pakistan pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the match at the DICS.</p> <p>Besides that, Abhishek was delighted to have shared a wonderful alliance with Gill, someone he shares a deep bond from age-group cricket.</p> <p>"We have been playing since school days, 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.</p> <p>"It's (the way he bats) because the team supports me. That's the intent I show and I'm practicing really hard and if it's my day, I'm gonna win it for my team," he added.</p> <p>Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah had an off-day, conceding over 10 runs an over during his four-over spell. But skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not read too much into it.</p> <p>"That's fine, he's not a robot, he will have a bad day someday. But (Shivam) Dube bailed us out of the situation," he said.</p> <p>Suryakumar lauded Gill and Abhishek for giving India a perfect start.</p> <p>"They complement each other really well (Abhishek and Gill). It's like a fire and ice combination," said Suryakumar and added in half-jest that fielding coach T Dilip will mail the players about dropping four catches while fielding.</p> <p>The Mumbai man was happy to see the way the team fought back after a rather listless first 10 overs where Pakistan made runs in excess of nine runs an over.</p> <p>"The way the boys are stepping up in every game, it's making my job very easy. The boys showed a lot of character.</p> <p>"They were calm after the first 10 overs (of India's bowling innings). After drinks, I told them the game starts now," he noted.</p> <p>Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said the way India batted in the Power Play segment turned the game on its head.</p> <p>"We are yet to play a perfect game, but we are getting there. A great game but in the Power Play they took the game away from us.</p> <p>"Looking back with the position we were in after 10 overs, we could have got 10-15 more. 170-180 is a good total but in the Power Play they batted well, that was the difference," said Agha. </p> <p><em><strong>(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)</strong></em></p>
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