Rohit Sharma once again starred with the bat as India thrashed Pakistan for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Rohit Sharma and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan slammed centuries to steer India to a dominating 9-wicket win over the hapless arch-rivals.
The right-hander notched 111no (119) for his 19th one-day hundred while Dhawan made a 114 (100) as the pair put on 210 for the opening stand. As a result, India chased down the modest total of 238 with 10.3 overs to spare and 9 wickets in hand.
The Super four win is the second for India over their arch-rivals following their easy eight-wicket win in the first round. The win also sealed the spot in the final for the Men in Blue. India also notched their highest-win over Pakistan in terms of wickets, betterin the eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Melbourne in 1985.
Earlier in the game, a fifty from Shoaib Malik had steered Pakistan to a challenging 237 for 7. At one stage, the Men in Green were reeling at 58 for 3. However, Malik and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed added 107 runs to steady the ship.
The match could have turned out in a different manner but Pakistan’s fielding woes once again came back to haunt them. In the sixth over, Imam-ul-Haq dropped an easy catch off a luckless Shaheen Afridi to give Rohit a reprieve. And the India skipper, who had scored fifties in the last two games, fully capitalised on it. He smashed seven fours and four sixes to score his unbeaten century.
During the course of the knock, he also became the ninth Indian batsman to complete 7,000 one-day runs. Rohit achieved the feat in his 187th match when he reached 94. Prior to that, he was dropped on 81 by Fakhar Zaman off Shadab Khan.
Meanwhile, Twitter was quick to hail Rohit for yet another impressive captain’s knock. Here are some reactions:
Congratulations on your 100s @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25. Such clean hitting! Always a joy to watch you both in full flow. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/yxzFEGtDak
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/iamfurkaan/status/1043932650082201600
https://twitter.com/jamshed37600668/status/1043909686058258433
Through to the #AsiaCup2018 finals! what an outstanding win.. well done guys! @SDhawan25 @ImRo45 #INDvPAK
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) September 24, 2018
Becoming a fan of Rohit Sharma's captaincy. Have to admit this guy creates magic when he leads any team #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018
— Abhishek (@ImAbhishek7_) September 23, 2018
Captaincy ended with Kohli, now Rohit Sharma is my new captain.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) September 23, 2018
A legendary player once said,
"Amir is an ordinary bowler and bumrah is rare talent."
~Rohit SharmaAmir 5-0-41-0*
Bumrah 10-1-29-2#AsiaCup2018 #PAKvIND— Akki (@CrickPotato) September 23, 2018
India thrashing Pakistan. Can’t drop a sitter of @ImRo45 and expect not to pay. Super show by Rohit and @SDhawan25 ! Wish we played Pak more, not less. Payback time for all the defeats of the 80s/90s! Gnight, shubhratri!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/AnupamUncl/status/1043928808703717376
Rohit Sharma's captaincy is very under rated. He is a big fan of match ups and which bowler's to use to against which batsmen and in which situation. It works well for him and has had success in the IPL. Proactive and not very predictable. #Asiacup2018
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 23, 2018
When team members in the box applaud they way they do. The smile on their faces tell a story.
Super century @ImRo45 . Sheer class. #PAKvIND #AsiaCup2018— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) September 23, 2018
19th ODI hundred for @ImRo45 ,
1st vs ??,
10th in Asia,
12th out of ??,
3rd in this year,
2nd under his own capatancy
1st in #AsiaCup
22nd in international cricket.#INDvPAK #AsiaCup18 #Hitman— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) September 23, 2018
Fewest innings to reach 19th ODI 100…
104 – Hashim Amla
124 – Virat Kohli
171 – AB de Villiers
181 – ROHIT SHARMA#AsiaCup2018#PakvInd#INDvsPAK— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 23, 2018
Rohit Sharma You Beauty!!!#IndvPak
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 23, 2018
Well played, Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/E8g1w92C6e
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) September 23, 2018
Congrats kepke @ImRo45 … 7000 and counting ??
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) September 24, 2018
Capatin Rohit sharma plays very responsibly #PAKvIND
— pinky (@Duchess_Of_Swag) September 23, 2018
