Rohit Sharma’s Dominance Over Pakistan in Asia Cup History

Cricket fans around the world have witnessed countless memorable encounters between India and Pakistan, each match filled with tension, excitement, and a fierce rivalry that transcends boundaries. In the history of the Asia Cup, one name consistently stands out as a dominant force against Pakistan – Rohit Sharma. Let’s delve into Rohit’s remarkable performances against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, both in ODIs and T20Is.

In the 2020 Asia Cup encounter in Melbourne, Rohit Sharma found himself dismissed early for just 4 runs, courtesy of Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf. Team India was off to a shaky start in a chase of 160, with four wickets down for just 31 runs at the start of the seventh over. However, Rohit’s dismissal did not deter the Indian team, as a sensational century partnership between Virat Kohli (82* off 53) and Hardik Pandya (40 off 37) turned the game in India’s favor. Kohli’s blitzkrieg at the end ultimately led India to a memorable victory.

Rohit Sharma’s dominance over Pakistan in the Asia Cup is not limited to one match. He has played a total of seven games against Pakistan in ODIs in the Asia Cup, accumulating 367 runs at an impressive average of 73.40, including one century. His highest score of 111* off 119 balls came during the 2018 Asia Cup edition in Dubai. In that game, Rohit, along with Shikhar Dhawan (114 off 100), stitched together a monumental opening partnership of 210 runs, propelling India to a resounding nine-wicket victory while chasing 238.

Apart from his century, Rohit has registered four half-centuries against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in ODIs, underlining his consistency in crucial encounters. His scores of 58 in Karachi (2008), 68 in Mirpur (2012), 56 in Mirpur (2014), and 52 in Dubai (2018) were instrumental in India’s success against their arch-rivals.

When we broaden the scope to Rohit’s overall record against Pakistan in ODIs, it becomes evident that he has been a thorn in their side, accumulating 720 runs in 16 games at an impressive average of 51.42, including two centuries. His performances against Pakistan have consistently proven his mettle as one of India’s premier openers.

Switching gears to the T20I format of the Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma’s record against Pakistan may not be as stellar as in ODIs. In three T20I games against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, he has managed to score only 40 runs at an average of 13.33. His performances include a duck in Mirpur in 2016 and scores of 12 and 28 in Dubai during the 2022 edition.

Rohit’s struggle against Pakistan in T20Is extends to his overall record as well. In 11 T20I encounters against Pakistan, he has scored a mere 114 runs at an average of 14.25, with a highest score of 30*.

Rohit Sharma’s dominance over Pakistan in the Asia Cup, especially in ODIs, is undeniable. His ability to consistently perform against Pakistan, often in high-pressure situations, showcases his skill and temperament as a top-class batsman. While T20Is may not be his preferred format against Pakistan, his incredible record in ODIs cements his legacy as one of the finest Indian cricketers in the history of the Asia Cup.