Team India has started its Asia Cup campaign on a winning note by registering a 5-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. India won courtesy of a heroic performance from the flamboyant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya as he scalped three crucial wickets with ball and scored unbeaten 33 runs from 17 balls playing a match-winning knock.
India has continued their excellent form in limited-overs cricket recently and has won their opening game against Pakistan. The team also had their revenge on the opposition who beat them in a World Cup game last year. India won the toss and decided to bowl first at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It was a brilliant bowling effort from the team as they continuously scalped opposition wickets.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for the men in blue while Hardik Pandya was superb with his three wickets including an important wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. India restricted Pakistan to a total of 147. Chasing the target, India was losing their wickets regularly. Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the batting order and was looking in good touch.
They were 89/4 when Hardik Pandya came out to bat in the second innings. He played a brilliant knock scoring unbeaten 33 runs from 17 balls and joined forces with Jadeja to take India to a win. It was his finishing touch in the game which assured India a win and they bagged their first couple of points in Asia Cup.
However, there was some twist in the tale, with seven required off the last six balls, Mohammad Nawaz clean bowled Ravindra Jadeja with the first ball before Pandya finished off the game in style. The flamboyant Baroda all-rounder had ice running through his veins in the final over but Jadeja’s exit had him sitting on his haunches at the other end.
Here is the video of Ravindra Jadeja’s dismissal:
https://youtu.be/oLJX9psq8O4
Dinesh Karthik took a single on the first ball he faced and Pandya then played a dot ball before comfortably clearing long-on with a nonchalant six, which sealed a thrilling win for India.
Here are the videos of the winning moments:
https://twitter.com/Richard10719932/status/1563954510074064897?s=20&t=HCnIUHRfx5GbxfpDwuk2cQ
https://twitter.com/Richard10719932/status/1563954274291175424?s=20&t=XEU4ROedcAe9wZYcoDTBHQ
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
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Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Here is how the Indian fans reacted to the winning shot from Hardik Pandya:
#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 superb start by Team India at the #AsiaCup2022.
This was such a nail-biting match. Congratulations to the entire team for this amazing victory. Keep it up! pic.twitter.com/MyNOkILkeh
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 28, 2022
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
Special Win from Team India, @hardikpandya7, @BhuviOfficial, @imjadeja all superb 👏🏽 Here's video representation of Pakistan's performance through the game 😄 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/QuM4uDsaHd
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya. That’s the tweet.
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 28, 2022
The incredible win!! Team India and Hardik Pandya were magic tonite ❤️❤️❤️ witnessing this win was a priceless moment. Not match just emotions. We’ll played INDIA pic.twitter.com/WfgZntGQHp
— Naga Vamsi (@vamsi84) August 28, 2022
The gesture of Dinesh Karthik when Hardik Pandya hit the finishing six. pic.twitter.com/4kZNndlfrf
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 28, 2022
Pictures of the match. Hardik Pandya you're superstar. pic.twitter.com/WGz3d0DQG9
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) August 28, 2022
Fantastic Hardik Pandya.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.
Baap baap hota hai.
WE ADMIRE MUNAWARS COMEDYVERSATILE ARTIST MUNAWAR pic.twitter.com/JPpQhkRbRK
— youseef khan (@KingKhan9892) August 28, 2022
Finally India Won The Match with 5 wickets💙🥳!…
Any remember @msdhoni when experts say "CALM & COMPOSED" #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/KkttQEUb10
— MSD Kingdom™ (@MSDKingdom) August 28, 2022
#INDvsPAK | #RohitSharma𓃵
India won!!!!!!!!!! 'Rohit Sharma the captain' is still unbeaten against Pakistan 🥺🫂🫶 pic.twitter.com/6NMNFkPzi6— Bardi C (@shyhoonbae) August 28, 2022
#Pandya finishes off with a SIX
India won the match #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/BuV44yBM5l
— Fukkard (@Fukkard) August 28, 2022
Take a bow @hardikpandya7 #INDvsPAK 🎉🎉
— Yash Banait (@YashBanait7) August 28, 2022