Dubai: Pakistan have won tremendously against India by five wickets in another battle between arch rivals in Asia Cup second round of super four.
Earlier, India had set a handsome total of 182 runs against Pakistan as the later had invited albeit to bat first after winning the toss.
Pakistan chased the target of 182 runs in the last over while one ball to spare.
Muhammad Rizwan batting was superb as he scored 71 runs off 51 balls, while Muhammad Nawaz also played splendidly as he scored 42 runs off 20 balls.
Catch Of The Match
Khushdil Shah was awarded for his brilliant catch.
Player of The Match
Muhammad Nawaz was honoured with player of the match award for his all-rounder performance as he scored 42 runs of 20 balls, taking one wicket and caught three catches.
Pakistan start was not good as the green team skipper Baber Azam lost his wicket early for 14 in the fourth over.
After Baber departure, Rizwan joined hands with left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman and added 41 runs for the second wicket before the latter perished after scoring a snail-paced 15 off 18 deliveries.
Great game! Many are still amazed ,dazed and a few gasping for breath…Pak was tested on many fronts including the most important one: temperament and came good with flying colours. Well done 👏
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 4, 2022
All-rounder Nawaz, who was promoted in the batting order changed the dynamics of the game with a blistering knock of 42 runs off a mere 20 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and two sixes.
The duo of Rizwan and Nawaz added a valuable 73 runs for the third wicket in accordance with the mounting run rate. Nawaz, however, fell victim to a slower ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 16th over.
In the next over, Rizwan also became the victim of a slower delivery from the struggling Indian pacer Hardik Pandya.
The right-handed batter top-scored for the side with 71 off 51 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and two sixes.
Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali then stood up for their team and sailed the ball all over the ground to push India on the back foot. The pair appeared solid and were looking to run away with the victory as Pakistan needed just seven off the last over.
Asif’s dismissal off Arshdeep on the fourth delivery of the final over, however, gave a thrilling late twist to the match and the right-handed batter walked back with sorrow despite scoring a blistering 16 off eight deliveries, laced with two sixes and a boundary.
The twist and India’s comeback into the game, however, was denied by Iftikhar Ahmed, who slammed a full-toss over the bowler’s head to seal a thrilling opening victory for Pakistan in the Super Fours.
India playing superbly scored 181 runs by losing seven wickets in the 20 overs.
The Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul devastated the Pakistani bowlers as the openers scored 28 runs each, posting 54 runs after Rohit clean bowled by Haris Rauf.
Pakistan bowlers held their nerves calm to restrict the defending champions to 181/7 in the allotted 20 overs in the high-octane Super 4s clash of Asia Cup 2022.
Following L Rahul departure, Rohit’s stay at the crease also remained brief as he perished in the next over to Shadab Khan, India’s veteran batter Virat then took the responsibility and held his ground while the rest of the batters failed to score significantly with all-rounder Deepak Hooda contributing the most with his brief knock of 16 runs.
Pakistan bowlers did well to halt India’s march into the game and restricted the defending champions to 181/7 in 20 overs.
Virat top-scored for the side with a magnificent knock of 60 off a mere 44 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and a six.
Shadab was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as he returned with brilliant bowling figures of 2/31, while Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Haris struck out a batter each.
In an important tournament Indian star Ravendra Jadeja is notvavailable as he is out of the tournament due to knee injury.
On the other hand Pakistani pacer Shahnawaz Dhanani has also injured in the last match and he didn’t play the match today.
Mohammad Hasnain has been included on the place of Shahnawaz Dhani.
Even before the start of the tournament, both sides had injury concerns. Pakistan were without Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr, whereas India were without Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel.
Remaining Matches Of AC 2022
In the first match of the super four phase Sri Lanka had defeated Afghanistan. While India and Sri Lanka will face each other on September 6.
Pakistan will contest again its neighbour Afghanistan on September 7. While India and Afghanistan will come face to face on September 8 in Dubai.
The national team will fight against Sri Lanka on September 9 in Dubai.
The Asia cup final match will be played between two top teams of super four phase round of Asia Cup 2022
