Asia Cup 2018, Super 4 Match 5- India vs Afghanistan- It was a Great Effort from Afghanistan- MS Dhoni

It turned out to be one heck of a match as the 5^th match of the Super 4 between India and Afghanistan ended in a thrilling tie. It was a great performance by Afghanistan yet again and a tie against a top side like India will surely bolster their confidence going forward. Mohammad Shehzad scored a sensational 124 of 1116 deliveries to help Afghanistan post a competitive total of 252 runs. Despite a partnership of 110 runs between Ambati Rayudu and KL Rahu, India couldn’t cross the line. Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket was the final nail in the coffin for India.

It was a one-man show from Afghanistan as they won the toss and batted first. Opener Mohammad Shehzad started off in a demolishing manner and thrashed the 2nd-grade Indian bowlers to all parts of the Dubai International Stadium. It was a special knock from Shehzad who made light work of the Indian bowling attack. It was indeed a great knock from the heavily built 30-year-old. Yet again he gave a display of his exploits against top international sides.

Right from the start Shehzad was in the mood and treated debutant Deepak Chahar with disdain. There was not a single area of the ground which was spared by Shehzad. However, the other batsmen were not able to give him ample support. It was totally a one-man show. He had to slow down a bit in the middle overs when they were reduced to 82/4 from 79/0.

India couldn’t quite get over the line

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja bowled quite brilliantly towards the middle overs and restricted the run flow. However, Shehzad’s exploits helped them reach a competitive total in the end. Mohammad Nabi provided another useful hand towards the end and smashed a brilliant half-century. Eventually, Afghanistan managed to score 252 in their allotted 50 overs.

The Men in Blue began quite brilliantly with makeshift openers Ambati Rayudu and KL Rahul both scoring half-centuries. It was a great partnership between the openers as they set a perfect platform for the rest of the batters. However, the match turned on its head in the middle overs as India lost a cluster of wickets in the middle overs.

They were unlucky on a couple of occasions when MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik was wrongly given out by the on-field umpire. Eventually, India got themselves in a mess and was staring at an unlikely defeat. Ravindra Jadeja batted sensibly towards the final few overs. However, it was Rashid Khan yet again who showed why he is one of the very best in the world. He bowled a sensational final over as the match ended in a thrilling draw.

Here is what MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony

Their (Afghanistan’s) cricket has improved a lot. The way they have continued from the start of the Asia Cup, it is commendable and we have enjoyed it. It is one country that has risen through the ranks very well. The wicket slowed down later, but they bowled extremely well throughout the game. I wouldn’t say we went wrong in the chase. To start off, it was like a handicap in golf. We didn’t go with a full-strength side.

We didn’t hit the back of a length area, and we gave away too much initially with the ball. The wicket slowed down over the course of the game, so someone should have continued with the bat. There were a couple of run-outs, and a few things we can’t talk about (the incorrect LBW decisions) unless you want to get fined for it. It’s good that it’s a tie, but they played really well.