Pakistan on Sunday defeated India by five wickets in a thrilling Asia Cup Super-4 clash at the Dubai International Stadium.
Sports Desk: Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaked 19 runs in the penultimate over as Pakistan took control of the proceedings. Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar had struck timely blows to revive India’s chances in the match after Pakistan had taken control of the proceedings. Pakistan need 26 runs off the last two overs. Chasing a target of 182, Pakistan were in control of the proceedings with Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz scoring runs with ease. Rizwan hit a well-crafted fifty while Nawaz is also batting in his 30s. However, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Nawaz to put India back in the contest. Hardik then ended Rizwan’s onslaught in the 17th over. Yuzvendra Chahal had given India an important breakthrough as he dismissed Fakhar Zaman in the ninth over. Pakistan had earlier lost the wicket of Babar (14) after Ravi Bishnoi gave him his marching orders After the end of the third over, Pakistan were 19 for the loss of no wicket. Earlier, Virat Kohli starred with the bat as India posted a strong total of 181 for seven in 20 overs against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup Super-4 clash. Pakistan have started off strong in the chase, with Rizwan hitting the first ball for a boundary and Babar Azam also finding the boundary in the first over. Kohli hit a brilliant 60 off just 44 balls, hitting four boundaries and six. Kohli crossed the 50-run mark creaming a six over deep midwicket. He eventually got run out after a direct hit from the deep by Asif Ali. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul had earlier given a strong start, collecting 54 runs in the first five overs. However, India lost an array a wickets, which slowed down their momentum in the middle overs. Ravi Bishnoi struck two important boundaries, but got a helping hand from Fakhar Zaman, as India ended their innings on a positive note. Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bowl. India made three changes as Hardik Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi and Deepak Hooda replaced Avesh Khan, Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Karthik. Pakistan also made a forced change as Mohammad Hasnain replaced the injured Shahnawaz Dahani. This time it is a Super 4 clash that takes place on Sunday.
