Dubai: India is making light work of Pakistan’s modest total of 127 in their Asia Cup Group A encounter on Sunday, thanks to a blistering start from opener Abhishek Sharma.

Chasing 128 for victory, Abhishek came out all guns blazing against Pakistan’s spearhead Shaheen Afridi, dispatching him for a six and a four in the opening over. The left-hander continued his assault with a string of boundaries, striking four fours and two sixes in total before eventually falling to Saim Ayub for 31. Despite losing partner Shubman Gill cheaply for 10, Abhishek’s aggressive stroke play put India firmly in command of the chase.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batting faltered badly against India’s spin duo. Kuldeep Yadav delivered a superb spell of 3 for 18, while Axar Patel claimed 2 for 18, ensuring constant pressure on the middle order. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with 2 for 28 as Salman Ali Agha’s men found themselves reeling.

Sahibzada Farhan provided the only real resistance with a well-compiled 40, but Pakistan’s innings threatened to collapse well below three figures. It was left to Shaheen Afridi, batting at No. 9, to lend some late defiance. The fast bowler entertained the Dubai crowd by hammering four sixes, dragging Pakistan to 127 for nine and giving his bowlers at least something to defend.

India, however, appear well on course to seal victory in this high-voltage encounter, their dominance with both ball and bat leaving Pakistan with little room to recover.