Match Report
Asia Cup 2018: Indian openers twin centuries bring another dominating victory against Pakistan
By Sandy - Sep 24, 2018 12:43 am
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Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s century knocks helped the Indian cricket team to claim another thumping nine-wicket victory (with 63 balls remaining) against the arch-rivals Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) in the Super Four round of the Asia Cup 2018.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed decided to bat first after winning the toss. The top-order batsmen failed to play big knocks as the openers Imam-ul-Haq (10) and Fakhar Zaman (31) and the no.3 batsman Babar Azam (9) were sent back to the pavilion when Pakistan was on 58 runs.

Also watch: Embarrassing Dismissal Of Fakhar Zaman

After that, the Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and the experienced batsman Shoaib Malik rescued the team with the brilliant 107-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sarfraz scored 44 runs off 66 balls (2 fours) while Malik scored 78 runs off 90 balls (4 fours and 2 sixes).

Shoaib Malik

Later, Asif Ali also played an important knock of 30 runs off 21 balls (only four and 2 sixes) but the Indian bowlers restricted them to 237/7 at the end of 50 overs through some brilliant death over bowling.

Among the Indian bowlers, pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled very well as his bowling figure was 10-1-29-2. Also, the two frontline spinners Yuzvendra Chahal (2/46) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/41) bagged two wickets each in that innings.

Indian cricket team

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In reply, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided the perfect start and dominated over the Pakistan bowlers. Both provided the 210-run partnership and completed their respective centuries.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan scored 114 runs off 100 balls (16 fours and 2 sixes) before throwing his wicket with an unnecessary run-out. Skipper Rohit Sharma remained not out on 111 runs off 119 balls (7 fours and 4 sixes) while Ambati Rayudu was not out on 12 runs off 18 balls (only four) as India chased down the target easily in just 39.3 overs after losing only one wicket. However, none of Pakistan bowlers was able to pick up at least one wicket in this game.

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant batting in this important game.

Here are some Twitter reactions:

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