Asia Cup 2018: Twitter Reacts As Shoaib Malik's Fifty Guides Pakistan To Challenging Total

Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 12:13 AM

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Riding on Shoaib Malik’s 78-run knock, Pakistan scored a challenging 237 for 7 against India the third game of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup.

Pakistan’s openers – Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman- once again failed to give their team a good start. Imam, who had scored a fifty in the last game against Afghanistan, was the first to depart after being trapped in front by Yuzvendra Chahal for 10. Fakhar and Babar Zaman then took the score past the 50-run mark.

But they too could not set the platform for a good total. Both of them were out in quick succession as Pakistan found themselves 3 down for 58 from 55 for 1. Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand when he trapped Fakhar for 31. Replays later showed the ball had hit the gloves but the batsmen had run out of time to review the decision. Three runs later, a brilliant throw from Chahal ended Babar’s stay at the crease.

India vs Pakistan (Asia Cup, Credits: AP)

Babar’s dismissal brought the experienced duo of Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed in the middle. And the two showed their experience to pull their side out of the trouble by adding 107 runs for the fourth wicket. Kuldeep once again gave India the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing the Pakistan skipper for 44. On the other hand, Malik reached his fifty off 64 balls.

Malik, fresh off the match-winning fifty against Afghanistan held firm from one end and found a good partner in Asif Ali. The duo took the score to the 200-run mark in the 44th over. But before the duo especially Malik could inflict damage in the closing stages of the innings, Bumrah sent back Malik. The veteran batsman departed after scoring 78.

Chahal soon dismissed Asif to peg back Pakistan. Asif slammed 30 off just 21 balls. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz then played handy knocks to help their side collect some useful runs in the end.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

Sensational from Bumrah. Better death bowler in world cricket? Only 38 in last 7 overs

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 23, 2018

Fifty up for @realshoaibmalik..partnership with @SarfarazA_54 looking strong for Pakistan. How much do you think Pakistan will score? #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 23, 2018

Surprisingly, MS Dhoni did not appeal. He was trying to run out Shoaib Malik.#AsiaCup2018 #IndvPak #PakvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 23, 2018

?Bowler Not Convinced
?Captain Not Convinced
?Umpire Not Convinced
?MS Dhoni Convinced
?Umpire Convinced

Dhoni Review System Gave India It's Wicket Today. ???#INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #PAKvsIND pic.twitter.com/uG96BHqcfc

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 23, 2018

Be It Cricket Or Border, Pakistan Always Struggling To Cross The Border. ??? #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #PAKvsIND pic.twitter.com/KpoHtyo1YU

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 23, 2018

Only consistent thing for Pakistan in this Asia cup. Respect #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/hXtay5axCc

— Zameer Ahmed Maan (@ZameerMaan) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/imPakistaniLAD/status/1043842629778264070

https://twitter.com/Osamma_shahzad/status/1043867242180554753

https://twitter.com/imPakistaniLAD/status/1043840043260026880

https://twitter.com/Saqlain_Cricket/status/1043844282677891072

Pakistan's batting line-up.#PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/EjJj5vby46

— Taimoor Abbasi. (@FracturedMalang) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/imPakistaniLAD/status/1043868623817912320

https://twitter.com/IramFarhanKhan/status/1043866726201524225

https://twitter.com/dominicoffl/status/1043827547560005632

WORLD CLASS BOWLER JASPRIT BUMRAH

— Mon (@4sacinom) September 23, 2018

Outstanding stuff, as usual, from Jasprit Bumrah during the death overs. Creditably consistent in wheeling out yorkers. #PakvsInd

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 23, 2018

Son of a gun! Jasprit Bumrah is so deadly with his yorkers!

— Ashwin (??) (@AshwinR94) September 23, 2018

Shadab Khan Knocked Down By Jasprit Bumrah. 7 Down. #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #PAKvsIND pic.twitter.com/7Dk6PuYQ4s

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/gautamkar28/status/1043869558203912192

Shoaib Malik the new prime minster of Pakistan ☺️☺️??#PAKVIND

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/pakistanipizza/status/1043862308840230912

Brilliant 78 by Shoaib Malik. getting better by the day and on top of his game, why is he retiring after WC? Quality cricketer. @realshoaibmalik #Cricket

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) September 23, 2018

Well played Shoaib Malik !!

— Psycho ツ (@PsychoO_Says) September 23, 2018

Well played Shoaib Malik ❤

— Saima Khan (@isktweets) September 23, 2018

Shoaib Malik is more fit than most of youngsters

— Ahmed (@AhmedDamn) September 23, 2018

Shoaib Malik Has Mastered The Art Of Being The Highest Scorer For His Team Against India Without Affecting The Outcome Of The Match. Most Diplomatic Batsman Ever. ???#INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #PAKvsIND

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 23, 2018