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ToggleThe fifth game of the Super Fours of Asia Cup 2018 between India and Afghanistan didn’t get the result, as the match got tied and both the teams shared points in Dubai.
However, India played excellent cricket at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Meanwhile, a lot had happened to fall into the talking points of the day.
However, earlier in the day, Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan won the toss and opted to bat first. Afghanistan made a few changes while India made as many as five changes to their line-up.
Moreover, Afghanistan opener, Mohammad Shahzad and Javed Ahmadi started their innings brilliantly. The partnered for 65 runs for the first wicket. Meanwhile, excellent delivery from Ravindra Jadeja and a superb reflex from MS Dhoni behind the stumps cost the wicket of Ahmidi. Indian bowlers are struggling to get rid of Shahzad. However, he was looking dominant and scored 116 balls 124.
Later, Mohammad Nabi played a brilliant knock of 64 runs at the end and helped Afghanistan to post a total of 252 runs at the end of the 50 overs. Jadeja bagged with three and Kuldeep bowled a superb spell of 10-0-38-2.
However, while chasing down the target, Indian opening pair, KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu played a brilliant knock of 110 runs for the first wicket. Nabi delivered a ball, and Rayudu skipped out of his crease and looked to have controlled the lofted shot against that full delivery. Moreover, he picked it quite nicely too but gets more elevation than distance.
The experienced Rashid Khan picked the second one for Afghanistan, and KL Rahul had to depart scoring 60 runs.
However, Afghanistan picked up some quick wickets in the middle and India need to create another good partnership. While Karthik and Kedar Jadhav started building up the partnership, Jadhav departed with a silly run out, and Karthik went out in the very next over by an LBW.
Later, Jadeja played well but couldn’t end the match with a win. However, it was a tie.
Here we take a look at five talking points from India and Afghanistan:
MS Dhoni led India for the 200th time
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had got the opportunity to lead India for the 200th time in the ODIs. He got the chance after giving up captaincy on his terms after two years.
Dhoni had given the opportunity to lead Indian after Rohit Sharma took rested against Afghanistan. However, he made a few quick stumpings and helped India to make the first breakthrough.
Mohammad Shahzad played a brilliant knock
The wicket-keeper batsman, Mohammad Shahzad scored his fifth ODI century against India during their Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2018.
The 30-year-old Shahzad raced to a hundred in 88 deliveries. However, he scored 124 runs from 116 deliveries smashing eleven boundaries and seven massive sixes.
Ravindra Jadeja bowled an excellent spell
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja bowled a superb spell of ten overs picking up three wickets just conceding 46 runs. He took the first two wickets of Afghanistan and put some relief for the Indian side.
The wicket he got of Javed Ahmadi was due to some excellent effort from MS Dhoni behind the stumps.
KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu partnered brilliantly
KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu played a fabulous inning of 110 runs for the first wicket. However, their 110 runs include nine boundaries and five sixes.
They replaced Rohit and Dhawan in the match and showed an excellent performance. Their partnership helped India a lot to chase down the target.
Mohammad Nabi played a heroic innings
The veteran Mohammad Nabi had a good outing with both with bat and ball. He scored a 56-ball 64 with three boundaries and four massive hit.
His contribution helped a lot for his team to score a respectable total. Moreover, Nabi picked up two wickets bowling his full quota giving away 40 runs. He was being exceptional and played a heroic inning for the nation.