India bounced back from a mediocre bowling show in style to bowl out Pakistan for just 162 in the last game of Group B in Asia Cup.
As expected, Sarfraz Ahmed decided to bat first when he won the toss. However, his decision was proven wrong by Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the India pacer blew away Pakistan’s top-order. Bhuvneshwar first accounted for Imam-ul-Haq for just 2 before sending back the in-form Fakhar Zaman to leave Pakistan reeling at 3 for 2.
Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik the steadied the ship. With runs not coming at a good pace, the duo did not lose patience and held on to make sure India do not take further grip on the game. As a result, Pakistan could only manage to score 25 runs in the first ten overs. But the two batsmen found some much-needed impetus in the following overs, hitting a handful of boundaries to collect 32 runs off the next five overs.
Pakistan could have suffered a huge blow in the 16th over but Shoaib Malik’s edge was dropped by MS Dhoni. However, Malik could not make much of that reprieve and could add only 17 runs more. Prior to his dismissal, Kuldeep Yadav castled Babar Azam to end the 82-run stand. 11 runs later, Kedar Jadhav sent back Sarfraz before Malik was run as Pakistan were five down for just 100.
Asif Ali and Shadab Khan also failed to get going as India were reeling at 121 for 7. However, Mohammad Amir and Faheem Ashraf steadied the ship and added 37-runs to take the score past the 150-run mark. Jasprit Bumrah ended the frustrating stand by dismissing Ashraf for 21. Bhuvneshwar then dismissed Hasan Ali before Bumrah wrapped up the innings.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
Funniest thing is that India didn't even need Virat Kohli. #INDvPAK
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) September 19, 2018
This is one of the boring cricket match between India & Pakistan in decades. #INDvPAK
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/ImSuri_/status/1042403852572483584
https://twitter.com/AskRishabh/status/1042400040969555968
Dhoni fans after he dropped the catch.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/NZPYthjTnu
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Man_isssh/status/1042402534432813057
Hey Indian fans in the stadium, can you please wave a 5 dirhams note to these two Pakistani batsmen ? #INDvPAK
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) September 19, 2018
Hong Kong 174/0
Pakistan 110/6RT If You Feel Honk Kong Is A Much Better Team Than #Pakistan. ??? #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 19, 2018
Let's face the elephant in the room, Rohit is a better captain than Virat Kohli.#INDvPAK
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) September 19, 2018
Still a better batsman than these Pakistanis … #IndvPak pic.twitter.com/oLD9N6VH1L
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/sampath0272/status/1042407849698230272
[PRESS CONFERENCE]
Journalist: Rohit, what was your strategy against Pakistan?
Rohit: We acted like we are struggling against Hong Kong, Pakistanis got too complacent and overconfident, then we played our natural game against them.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/3dlFowX8WU
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) September 19, 2018
Kedar Jadhav is such a nice guy. Even when he bowls, he is so down to earth. #IndvPak
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/HaramiParindey/status/1042406467398234112