Team India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling contest by five wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 148, India had a terrible start as they lost opener KL Rahul in the very first over for a golden duck. Then, two veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, joined hands to steady the ship.
The duo added 50 runs for the second wicket before Pakistan yet again came back in the game, removing both Rohit and Kohli in quick successions. Soon, Suryakumar Yadav was also dismissed as India were reduced to 89/4 in 14.2 overs.
Before Pakistan bowlers could capitalise further, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya partnered to calm things down for India. The pair stitched a match-winning 52-run stand to take the game to the final over, where Jadeja got dismissed for a well-made 35. Hardik (33 no), however, kept his end alive and smashed a brilliant six to finish the game in grand style.
Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pandya shined with the ball to dominate the proceedings right from the word go. Bhuvneshwar (4/26) picked up a four-wicket haul as he completely outclassed the Pakistan batters, while Hardik (3/25) launched his short-balls barrages to bag three scalps under his kitty.
Young star Arshdeep Singh also took two wickets while conceding 33 runs in 3.5 overs. For Pakistan, opener Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 43 from 42 balls, including five boundaries.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
India seal a tense win in Dubai to beat Pakistan 🙌🏻#INDvPAK | #AsiaCup2022 | 📝 Scorecard: https://t.co/mKkZ2s5RKA pic.twitter.com/5KBNSKwfjL
— ICC (@ICC) August 28, 2022
#TeamIndia put up a spectacular all-round performance in today’s #AsiaCup2022 match. The team has displayed superb skill and grit. Congratulations to them on the victory.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2022
What a brilliant performance by the Indian bowlers. Kudos to you @hardikpandya7 for such a splendid game 🇮🇳 #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) August 28, 2022
Yes! We won 🇮🇳 Great display of batting by Jadeja, Virat and Hardik. That winning six by Hardik was treat to watch. #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022 @BCCI
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) August 28, 2022
Proper Cricket game that! Tricky wicket with two really good bowling attacks. Congrats India and well done on 100th Virat👏👏🎉
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya. That’s the tweet.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 28, 2022
Ice man #HardikPandya
Rather important member of the India T20 side.#AsiaCup2022 #IndiavsPakistan— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) August 28, 2022
Geez… talk about a tight finish…
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) August 28, 2022
Just a Hardik Pandya appreciation tweet! 🫶#INDvPAK #PapaPandya | @hardikpandya7
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) August 28, 2022
Calm as ever, and with incredible skill, Hardik Pandya takes India home. In this form, few better than him in this format.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya. Take a bow. 🙌💙#OneFamily #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 28, 2022
A fit Hardik Pandya is 24 carat Gold. Key to India’s fortunes in this format. #IndvPak
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 28, 2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, then.. now.. forever!
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 28, 2022
What a fightback by Pakistan’s bowling unit. India came out stronger in the end. What a match!!
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 28, 2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the first Indian pacer to take multiple 4+ wicket hauls in men’s T20Is in the same year.
4/13 v South Africa
4/26 v Pakistan#AsiaCup2022— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) August 28, 2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar against Pakistani openers over the years. pic.twitter.com/wXjghWUJEI
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) August 28, 2022
What a world class spell by Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 4/26 against arch rivals Pakistan in the opening game of Asia Cup. What an asset Bhuvi is to team India.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 28, 2022
Hardik is in such a great mental space right now. Calm and delivering through top notch performances. Huge for India.
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) August 28, 2022
What a spell by Hardik Pandya, one of the MVPs in limited overs in world cricket, 3 for just 25 runs from 4 overs against Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/gKP7RsBAfX
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 28, 2022
GAME OVER ! #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022
Congratulations @BCCI
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) August 28, 2022
A fantastic game of cricket which went right down to the end and was played in great spirit #AsiaCup2022 #IndvPak
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 28, 2022