Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Sep 22: India’s Super Four campaign in the Asia Cup got off to a dream start as the Men in Blue produced a clinical all-round display to humble arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday.
Chasing a competitive target of 172, India rode on a breathtaking opening stand of 105 runs between young sensation Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill to seal the contest with seven balls to spare.
Abhishek lit up the night sky with a blistering 74 runs off 39 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes, setting the tone from the very first delivery by dispatching Shaheen Afridi over the ropes. Gill provided perfect support with a fluent 47 off 28 deliveries, piercing the field with crisp boundaries that had Pakistan’s bowlers under pressure.
Despite a brief stutter in the middle after Gill and Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissals, Abhishek continued the charge before falling to Abrar Ahmed. Tilak Varma (30 not out off 19) and Hardik Pandya (12 not out) then ensured India’s march to victory in the 19th over.
Earlier, Pakistan had managed 171/5 in their 20 overs, thanks largely to Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 off 45 balls. Though India’s fielding lapses gifted Pakistan 42 runs in the final three overs, the total proved inadequate. Shivam Dube (2/33) stood out with the ball, while star pacer Jasprit Bumrah had a tough outing, conceding 45 runs in his quota.
Pakistan’s attack struggled to find answers against India’s fearless top-order, with Haris Rauf (2/26) being the only bowler to make an impact. However, dropped catches and missed chances once again proved to be Pakistan’s undoing.
The emphatic win marked India’s second triumph over Pakistan in the tournament, strengthening their chances of qualifying for the Asia Cup final, while leaving Pakistan with an uphill battle to stay alive in the Super Four stage.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58; Shivam Dube 2/33)
lost to
India 174/4 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 74, Shubman Gill 47; Haris Rauf 2/26).