Pakistan pulled off a brilliant masterstroke to dismiss Abhishek Sharma for a four-ball duck in a T20 World Cup encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 15. With options like Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Usman Tariq, Salman Agha took the new ball alone in the first over after Pakistan chose to bowl.
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The move paid immediate dividends as Salman claimed the crucial wicket of Abhishek, who returned to the playing eleven replacing Sanju Samson. Sharma fell cheaply after attempting a shot with a short, sliding backhand at the angle of the stumps.
Abhishek miscued the ball straight to mid-off where Shaheen Shah Afridi took a simple catch to offer Pakistan a textbook dismissal. The strategic gamble not only removed dangerous batting early on, but also set the tone for Pakistan’s bowling attack, showing sharp planning and execution.
HOW SALMAN LUMBERED IN THE FIRST PRES
Salman Agha’s opener gave Pakistan an immediate advantage. He started with a length delivery to Ishan Kishan who straightened slightly and forced a solid defensive stroke forward. A slightly shorter ball saw Kishan attempt a pull but only managed a single to deep midwicket.
When Abhishek Sharma came into strike, Salman aimed squarely at the stumps. A series of flat, well-directed deliveries just outside the boundary saw Abhishek defend and cut and only found the field. The mounting pressure forced a mistake and he was caught cheaply.
Abhishek, who also failed to open his account when India faced the United States in their opening match on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium, fell for another duck.
In a single over, Salman combined a precise line, subtle variations and clever fielding to give Pakistan an early lead in this high-stakes clash. Abhishek will now look to make amends when India take on Scott Edwards’ Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
February 15, 2026