In India’s opening match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 2, Ishan Kishan delivered a spectacular performance that left a lasting impact. Together with Hardik Pandya, Ishan formed an outstanding partnership for the fifth wicket, propelling India ahead in the game, despite a tumultuous start, with both players scoring memorable half-centuries.
In the 38th over, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf provided the breakthrough his team desperately needed by dismissing Ishan. The moment drew the attention of the cricketing world due to Rauf’s emotional reaction after Babar Azam took an easy catch at long-on. Rauf displayed a mix of aggression and teasing gestures towards Ishan while celebrating the crucial wicket.
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India’s journey in this rain-affected mega clash had been challenging from the start as they batted first. Pakistan’s star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, made a remarkable impact by claiming the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with exceptional in-swing deliveries, leaving India in shock.
The returning Shreyas Iyer, partnered with Shubman Gill, tried to provide some resistance by showcasing quality shots. However, Rauf added to India’s woes by dismissing both Shreyas and Shubman, resulting in India losing their top four wickets within the first 15 overs of the innings.
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It was then that Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya took charge, exhibiting sensible cricketing skills in challenging conditions. Their partnership of 138 runs for the fifth wicket marked the highest fifth-wicket partnership by an Indian pair against Pakistan in ODIs. This remarkable partnership not only rescued India from a precarious situation but also put them in a comfortable position to aim for a substantial total.
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— Rizwan stan. (@rizzyxshaddyy) September 2, 2023
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
