India’s win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday has been termed as “a battle that is worth watching” by former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.
Thousands thronged the Dubai cricket stadium, braving the heat, humidity and long walk to the venue given the security cordon.
It was the 10th time the sides met in a T20 International, with India having won seven of the nine previous meetings.
When 2 strong teams play a big match and take it down to the last ball, then you know the fans have won as well because that’s what we want to see, a battle that is worth watching. @hardikpandya7 made his presence felt in both innings. Good display of skills by naseem and nawaz
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 28, 2022
🇵🇰 fans turn up in numbers to cheer for the team 👏#AsiaCup2022 | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/juy0AaTSqW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 28, 2022
Pakistan, however, came in at the back of a thumping 10-wicket win the last time these two sides met – a T20 World Cup clash at the same venue in October last year.
A capacity crowd, including former cricketers and Bollywood actors, cheered both teams as they resumed their 74-year-old rivalry.
But it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar first and then all-rounder Hardik Pandya who ensured Pakistan did not go away with back-to-back wins over their neighbours, winning praise from former India captains Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
It came down to fitness of the fast bowlers while put under pressure, though both teams’ pacers bowled well upfront.
Crucial knock by Hardik to stay till the end & get us over the line & ably supported by @imjadeja & Virat.
Congrats 🇮🇳 on a nail-biting win.#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/dYhiaa3Omh
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 28, 2022
Wow wow wow ! Fantastic Hardik Pandya. Sab kuchh main karega. Brilliant performance by Bhuvi, good hand by Jaddu and Kohli as well.
Glad to see a close #INDvsPAK match after a long time. Mast maza aa gaya. pic.twitter.com/HLNrnLRpK8— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 28, 2022
Pandya, the 28-year-old all-rounder, took three crucial wickets, including that of Pakistan’s top-scorer Mohammad Rizwan, and scored 34 runs off 17 balls to take India home.
The winning runs, a six in the final over of the match, sent the Indian-majority crowd in a frenzy and left Pakistan wondering what could have been.
Pandya said staying calm in a tense situation helped him complete a successful run-chase.
“It’s important to assess the situation and use your weapons,” Pandya said in his post-match comments.
“When it comes to batting, the chances I take when executing, I’m likelier to pull it off when I’m calmer. I knew they had Nawaz waiting to bowl, and while we needed seven, even if we needed 15, I would have fancied my chances. I feel the bowler is under a lot more pressure than me. I just needed one six in that final over. I try to keep things simple.”
Take a bow #HardikPandya 🙌🏻 what a cool head in the heat…shows what captaincy in the IPL has brought in him 👏🏻 rockstar for a reason 🔥 #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022 #IndvPak pic.twitter.com/UJo3um53ym
— Baidurjo Bhose (@bbhose) August 28, 2022
India’s star batsman and former captain Virat Kohli was among the top scorers for India.
Kohli, who became only the second cricketer to reach the 100-match milestone in all three formats of international cricket, had been going through a lean patch – no 100 since 2019 – and had been out of the side for more than a month.
Kohli’s dry spell with the bat had been a cause of concern for the Indian fans but he received support from his peers, most noticeably Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/ozr7BFFgXt
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) July 14, 2022
His return to form did not go unnoticed as fans hailed his performance in his 100th T20I.
A great sportsman and a humble personality. The one and only @imVkohli Good to see him back in form!
What a game tonight!
Shall see you in the Final! #AsiaCup2022 #MominSaqib #ViratKohli #Kohli #INDvsPAK2022 #PakvInd #Dubai #UAE @DubaiStadium @ICCAcademy pic.twitter.com/gx8dDalHdv
— Momin Saqib (@mominsaqib) August 28, 2022
Pakistan missed the services of their star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is out of the tournament with a shoulder injury.
Afridi watched from the stands as his team was unable to repeat their success from last year’s clash against India where he starred with three wickets.
In the build-up to the match, Afridi was seen chatting with Indian players as he watched his teammates during a practice session.
Stars align ahead of the #AsiaCup2022 🤩
A high-profile meet and greet on the sidelines 👏 pic.twitter.com/c5vsNCi6xw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 25, 2022
Both teams will play their remaining group match against Hong Kong later this week.
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