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.
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.
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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).
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.
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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.
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:
Well done boys. What a joy to watch.Great win for us. Onwards and upwards 💪🇮🇳 #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 23, 2018
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
Bharat !
Congratulations on a wonderful victory. Dhawan , Rohit were terrific and this is so wonderful to watch#INDvPAK— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 23, 2018
Rohit-Dhawan made Pakistan bowling look pedestrian…Not a single wicket to the bowlers. Dominance. Well played 😊🙌😇 #IndvPak #AsiaCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 23, 2018
This is the first time India have beaten Pakistan by 9 wickets in an ODI match. #INDvPAK
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 23, 2018
Ton and dusted! Two massive tons that made this win look too easy! Hats off @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25 🇮🇳 💯💯 #PAKvIND #AsiaCup2018
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 23, 2018
Congratulations India 🙌
What a game!!! Absolutely Amazing & brilliant, I hope our kids (players) will learn something from this game in the future. #IndvPak— Ihtisham ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 23, 2018
First ODI hundred against Pakistan for @ImRo45 .. Worth the wait, it’s come as a captain ! Just too good .. #IndvPak
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 23, 2018
Indian's looking for Pakistani cricket fans on Twitter after today's match.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/85fbTIYZ92
— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) September 23, 2018
This girl is more consistent than entire Pakistan team🔥 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/UKzbLzJeXp
— R A T N I $ H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 23, 2018
picture of the Day❤️#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/zDRIc1qJoV
— Omar. (@itx_omar) September 23, 2018
Pakistan bowlers reaction to Dhawan and Rohit Sharma's batting. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Xx2ES5jhq1
— Swayamsiddh Tiwari 🇮🇳 (@im_Swayamsiddh) September 23, 2018
Pakistan’s journey in Asia cup so far. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/lBCNGqEWzQ
— Smoking sKills (@SmokingSkills_) September 23, 2018
Pakistan After Dhawan's wicket fell. #INDvPAK #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/2fXq2prmca
— Zaroon Aftab 🇮🇳 (@me_Af74B) September 23, 2018
👉7000 ODI Runs
👉5000 ODI Runs As Opener
👉300 International Sixes
👉19th ODI CenturyThis Day Must Be Declared As Rohit Sharma Day. 💪👏🙏🇮🇳 #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #PAKvIND #PAKvsIND pic.twitter.com/Rh80hgNfBF
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 23, 2018
Pakistani cricket supporters waiting for their team to arrive in Pakistan.#INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/Zb0XOTN34e
— Sardar G (@sarcasticsardar) September 23, 2018
Pak Coach arthur to fielders dropping catch: #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/fyBhgNmkkU
— Professor (@Professor_Talks) September 23, 2018
Rohit Sharma will be 1st Indian captain to win first 4 matches In Asia cup.
*Meanwhile International captaincy is different Daww fans*#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/yWgOC9Mu86
— Aryan (@Rohitswarrior_) September 23, 2018
India against other countries
India against PAKISTAN #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/W6akdc78B7
— Bunty (@Bunty_Langdaa) September 23, 2018
Pakistan's shaheen missile which they bragged a lot about before this match.#PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/auCBk8xyI9
— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) September 23, 2018
Dear Pakistani Fans, if you’re feeling low, think about Shoaib Akhtar sitting in commentary who has to appreciate boundaries hit by Rohit and Dhawan holding his anger and frustration inside his heart. #PAKvIND
— Swagshank (@zZoker) September 23, 2018
"Boys played well" bolne layak toh khelo saalo #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/r62BfcAAE7
— Asfand Yar (@AsFuU__) September 23, 2018
Rare footage of what Dhawan and Rohit told the Pakistani team before batting. #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/JLZQijI8Vi
— Zaroon Aftab 🇮🇳 (@me_Af74B) September 23, 2018
#PAKvIND
Hasan Ali before Asia cup saif I'll take all 10 indian wickets in the first match .Hasan Ali after Asia cup : total indian wickets in the tournament = 0 pic.twitter.com/R2umaA5NMR
— Anurag (@imAnurag__) September 23, 2018
Aadat Hai….
🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳#PAKvIND#INDvPAK
Indian fans hit 💝 likes and retweet pls…
Jay hind pic.twitter.com/8Ip4YeJs24— Akshay Kumar 2.0 🐦 (@gosvamiprashant) September 23, 2018
*Pakistani googles #PAKvIND score*
Google: pic.twitter.com/NY2tT6P6WX
— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) September 23, 2018
Sarfraz Ahmed To His Fielders :#PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/Y6TAiHJErx
— MAनYO🇮🇳 (@manyo_rajput) September 23, 2018
When Pakistani fielders act disappointed after dropping the catch. #INDvPAK #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/5OqnNWf4mL
— Pahadi_Guy (@Rana12Addy) September 23, 2018
Pakistan fielding coach #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/3nEiDzrTD4
— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) September 23, 2018
