The third wicket of 73 between Rizwan and Nawaz tilts the balance in favor of Babar’s men; Kohli is good for India again
The third wicket of 73 between Rizwan and Nawaz tilts the balance in favor of Babar’s men; Kohli is good for India again
Pakistan overcame some tense moments to register a five-wicket win over India in their Asia Cup Super 4 event at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 182 runs, Pakistan reached home with one ball to spare. The 73-run third-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan (71, 51b, 6×4, 2×6) and Mohammad Nawaz (42, 20b, 6×4, 2×6) put Pakistan on the right track. The southpaw, Nawaz boosted the tackle order with leg-spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal, hitting it all-around.
When both were in action, Pakistan was under cruise control. Took a clever slow delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to remove Nawaz. In the next over, India were back in the competition after Rizwan was dismissed at long off.
Bishnoi’s bowled 18th over proved to be dramatic. A detailed call from the umpire was reviewed by India, and the replays showed the lightest touch. The third umpire stuck to a wide call, allowing Asif Ali to bat.
On the very next ball, Asif took the easiest catch off short third man fielder Arshdeep Singh, who inexplicably dropped it.
The drop proved costly, as Asif effectively sealed the contest with a six and a four in the next over. Arshdeep returned to bowl the last over, with Pakistan needing seven runs to win. He managed to leg-out Asif, but it was too late.
Virat Kohli, who was seen to have a hamstring, was out of the field after the powerplay.
India had a good score after being put out to bat. Openers KL Rahul (28, 20B, 1×4, 2×6) and Rohit Sharma (28, 16B, 3×4, 2×6) gave India a quick start with 54 runs in 5.1 overs.
India captain Rohit Sharma is seen as India captain Babar Azam during the toss ahead of the Asia Cup T20 cricket match between India and Pakistan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday. , photo credit: AP
Kohli (60, 44b, 4×4, 1×6) completed his second consecutive fifty. Rahul struggled with his strike rate in the last outing, but this time he took a more aggressive approach. In the third over, Rahul hit fast bowler Naseem Shah for a six over cover.
A few deliveries later, Rahul played a remarkable helicopter shot, sending the ball straight and into sights. Rahul kills Shadab Khan with a googly to long on.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf’s fore-front pull at the cow corner was the highlight of Rohit’s tenure.
Rohit then skids a slow delivery from Rauf between cover and point. Fakhar Zaman almost ruined the opportunity by colliding with Khushdil Shah, but later avoided hitting Khushdil Shah. It was a forgettable night on the field for Zaman, who hit two boundaries including a catch in the last two balls of the Indian innings. Kohli kept the scoreboard ticking by keeping his shots in the gap and working hard. He reached his fifty in style, hitting an overpitch delivery from Mohammad Hasnain into the mid-wicket stand.
Hong Kong outing star Suryakumar Yadav starts off with a cut shot that goes to the fence. However, a top lead ended Suryakumar’s innings for 13 runs. Rishabh Pant (14, 12b, 2×4) didn’t make much impact with the bat.
score board
India
KL Rahulc Nawaz b Shadab 28 (20b, 1×4, 2×6)Rohit Sharma c Khushdil b Rauf 28 (16b, 3×4, 2×6)Virat Kohli 60 run out (44b, 4×4, 1×6)Suryakumar Yadavc Asif b Nawaz 13 (10b, 2×4)Rishabh Pant c Asif b Shadab 14 (12b, 2×4)Hardik Pandya c Nawaz b Hasnain 0 (2b)Deepak Hooda c Nawaz b Naseem 16 (14b, 2×4)Bhuvneshwar Kumar (not out) 0 (0b)Ravi Bishnoi (not out) 8 (2b, 2×4), Extra(B-4, W-10): 14; Total (for seven wickets. In 20 overs): 181.
fall of wickets
1-54 (Rohit, 5.1 ov), 2-62 (Rahul 6.1), 3-91 (Suryakumar, 9.4), 4-126 (Pant, 13.5), 5-131 (Hardik, 14.4), 6-168 (Hooda, 18.4), 7-173 (Kohli, 19.4)
Pakistan bowling
Naseem 4-0-45-1, Hasnain 4-0-38-1, Rauf 4-0-38-1, Nawaz 4-0-25-1, Shadab 4-0-31-2.
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwanc Suryakumar b Hardik 71 (51b, 6×4, 2×6)Babar Azam c Rohit b Bishnoi 14 (10b, 2×4)Fakhar Zamanc Kohli b Chahal 15 (18b, 2×4)Mohammad Nawaz c Hooda b Bhuvneshwar 42 (20b, 6×4, 2×6)Khushdil Shah (not out) 14 (11b, 1×4)Asif Ali lbw b Arshdeep 16 (8b, 2×4, 1×6)Iftikhar Ahmed (not out) 2 (1b), extra (lb-2, w-6): 8; Total (for five wickets. In 19.5 overs): 182.
fall of wickets
1-22 (Babur, 3.4), 2-63 (Zaman, 8.4), 3-136 (Nawaz, 15.3), 4-147 (Rizwan, 16.5), 5-180 (Aasif, 19.4).
India’s bowling
Bhuvneshwar 4-0-40-1, Arshdeep 3.5-0-27-1, Bishnoi 4-0-26-1, Hardik 4-0-44-1, Chahal 4-0-43-1.
Toss: Pakistan; Mother: Nawaz.