India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018 Highlights: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have put India in a position of strength. (Source: AP)
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018 Highlights: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan scored centuries as India strolled to victory against a hapless Pakistani side. Faced with a target of 238 to chase, Rohit and Shikhar put up an opening stand of 210 within 34 overs to flatten the opponents. They were helped by some lax fielding and dropped catches from Pakistan early on. Rohit, in the process, completed 7000 ODI runs, becoming just the ninth Indian player to do so. Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand scored his 15th ODI ton before being run out.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018: India face Pakistan in Dubai. (Express photo by Shamik Chakrabarty)
"I enjoyed my game. I've been in good touch and just wanted to make the most of it. It's a good batting track and I enjoyed the way I was batting. It was sensible and aggressive and I enjoyed the balance. Pakistan have a good bowling attack. I knew that as openers we have to stay in. So once I got set, I just carried on and as I said, I was sensible and I didn't want to throw away my wicket. Once you're set, once you've played 20 overs, it gets easier. It's the job for openers, play out the new ball, and that's the opposition's strength. We don't get runs that easily in the first 15 overs but Rohit played an amazing knock again, he's very good at converting to centuries. So it's good that we both value our wickets. We know that we don't get these conditions often and we wanted to take advantage of it"
"We asked something like this from the boys. It was challenging conditions, and it was tough coming out and playing in these conditions. All of them showed great character. We spoke about leaving our past performances in the past and doing the job again today and they did it. Bumrah has matured as a bowler now, has played a great amount of cricket and he understands his bowling. it's very important for any player. He understands what fields he needs to set and on a wicket like that you need to be clever, keep it tight, keep up pressure. Bhuvneshwar too did exactly the same We never wanted to let them off the hook and our spinners have been magnificent throughout the tournament. They kept taking wickets and when you do that, you win. It was a challenge when Hardik got injured. We were playing four spinners including Jadhav. We wondered about going with three seamers, but knowing these conditions, we went with the spinners and they have been great. Jadeja too, to come back into the side and do so well. Opening with Dhawan is, I don't even need to speak to him, it's important to let him be and we've batted enough to understand each other's games. We know how important the first 10 overs is. The chase becomes a little easier if that's done well. The most important thing was to bat as long as possible and that's what we did. Nothing is easy [hitting sixes] and when it comes off it looks nice. I've gotten out playing those shots but its important to put pressure on the bowlers Pakistan have a great bowling line-up and it's important to keep them under pressure. They've troubled us in the past.
This is the highest margin of victory for India in terms of wickets in hand. In their previous encounter against Pakistan in this tournament, India's margin of victory was the highest in terms of number of overs in hand. Pakistan were never really in it. It looked like they might set up a biggish total for India to chase but an extraordinary spell of death over bowling from India restricted. And then, it was the Dhawan-Rohit show.
And that draws him level with Mahela Jawardene, Brian Lara and Ross Taylor on the all-timer's list. India need 18 to win now.
An unceremonious end to an incredible innings. Rohit tapped it to point and yelled 'no!' but Shikhar was already halfway down the track. There was no way he could get back in time. That ends the partnership at 210.
They are just having fun now. 33rd over, Rohit Sharma runs a single and gets to 7000 ODI runs. Shikhar Dhawan, who was on 99, then hits a four to reach three figures. 15th time he has scored a ton in ODI cricket.
It's come to that point when we can start pulling up records. This is Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan's highest opening partnership, the previous one being 178 against Australia. Both batsmen are in their 90's now.
This is too easy at the moment. Rohit Sharma has stepped up now as Shikhar Dhawan takes a breather. Rohit is dropped once again and he had hit a six off the previous. This is now India's highest ever opening stand against Pakistan. The previous highest was between Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar - 159 - in Dhaka in 1998.
Rohit and Dhawan are the first Indian opening pair to have put up 100-run stands against Pakistan twice. They had done so in Champions Trophy 2017. Pakistan are paying for being utterly lethargic on the field early on. That helped these two settle in and now they are just playing their shots with ease.
19. 3 FOUR! Quicker delivery from Shadab Khan and Shikhar Dhawan charged forward to smack a boundary straight down the line.
19.4 Single
19.5 Single
20.0 NO RUN
20 overs gone, IND 107/0
19. 3 FOUR! Quicker delivery from Shadab Khan and Shikhar Dhawan charged forward to smack a boundary straight down the line.
19.4 Single
19.5 Single
20.0 NO RUN
20 overs gone, IND 107/0
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan bring up 100 for India. It is their 13th 100-run partnership. It took India 19.1 overs to reach the mark. Pakistan still have no answer how to break this partnership.
FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan brings up his his half century in 52 balls and it is Dhawan's 26th ODI half century. Dhawan's wifey Ayesha stands in the crowd and applauds. IND 91/0 after 18 overs
Rohit Sharma had paced his inning slowly with Shikhar Dhawan leading the charge. But now that Dhawan has started to slow down, Sharma goes after Mohammad Nawaz. Two boundaries in his over. 17 overs gone, IND 85/0
15 overs gone, and guess what - Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are still going on. Pakistan have found no answer to get a breakthrough here and the two openers are easily going about their business. 15 overs gone, IND 72/0
It has only been just 11 overs - and Pakistan are introducing their fifth bowler. Shadab Khan replaces Mohammad Amir in attack. Too many changes from Sarfraz Khan as he looks eager to break this partnership.
Harsha Bhogle takes a dig at Pakistan's fielders:
10 overs gone and Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have stitched another 50-run partnership. Two fours from Amir's overs by Dhawan and India are 53/0 at the end of first powerplay.
Mohammad Amir returns to the attack to replace Shaheen Afridi. First ball dot. Second ball dot. Third ball boundary! Misses his length this time and Dhawan just uses the pace of the ball to glide it for a straight boundary.
Pakistan make a change in attack - Mohammad Nawaz replaces Hasan Ali. Pakistan are trying to search for wickets, but are not finding anything at the moment.
FOUR! Rohit Sharma looked a bit rattled after the dropped catch. He now decides to relieve himself from the pressure as he charges against Shaheen Afridi. A little bit of deviation from the line from the seamer and Rohit just opens up the face of the bat to guide it for a boundary. IND 43/0 after 8 overs
DROPPED! Awwww, poor Shaheen Afridi! HE must be so frustrated. Rohit Sharma just guided the ball straight to Imam-ul-Haq at cover and he has just let it go. This was catch practice. Poor fielding continues for Pakistan.
SIX! Shaheen Afridi comes from around the wicket to Rohit Sharma. He misses his line just by a whisker and Sharma quick to pounce on it. Just flicks it, using the pace of the ball miles into the stands.
Solid start from India and Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are slowly and steadily getting a move on. 5 overs gone, IND 23/0
Pakistan make a change in attack. Hasan Ali comes out to replace Mohammad Amir just after two overs. Amir has been insipid so far and has not been getting any movement. And Sarfraz Ahmed quick to make a change.
FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan guides a short delivery from Mohammad Amir for a boundary. Opens up the face of the bat and slices it between the two fielders at covers. Sublime. End of third over. IND 14/0
Shaheen Afridi off to a great start with the ball. He gives away just one single in his over. Gorgeous line and length from the seamer, including two yorkers in one over. IND 7/0 after 2 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal picked up his 50th ODI wicket for India today.
A wider delivery from Mohammad Amir and Rohit Sharma opened up the face of the bat. The ball almost travelled to Shadab Khan at point. Good first over from Amir. IND 6/0. Shaheen Afridi comes out to bowl from the other end.
It is time for India's chase - Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan come out to bat for India and it is Mohammad Amir who starts off with the ball for Pakistan. CHASE IS ON!
Yuzvendra Chahal: I was trying for last two matches, happy that I got in this match (on his 50th wicket). I have been working (on the accuracy). Even in the IPL, I have bowled in tough situations. I was trying to bowl the googly to the left-hander more. The wicket is a bit slow. I think when the ball is new, it will be easy to bat. First 10 overs will be crucial, the openers should try to play carefully. We bowl in partnerships (himself and Kuldeep). My idea is to first read the wicket and then bowl according to the plan.
Fantastic stuff from Indian bowlers in the final few overs.
Excellent effort from India bowlers in death overs. From 193/4 in 42 overs to 237/7 in 50 overs. India need 238 runs to win and reach Asia Cup 2018 Final.
GONE! The pressure building and Shadab Khan decided to have a go against Jasprit Bumrah. Completely misses the straight delivery as it knocked down the stumps. PAK 234/7.
It has been good effort from India to pull things back in the death overs, especially after the 22-run over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Jasprit Bumrah comes for the final over of Pakistan's innings. PAK 232/6.
FOUR! A wider delivery from Chahal and Nawaz swung his bat on it. It crosses the infield and goes to the no man's land. Boundary to end the over. PAK 221/6. 3 overs to go.
46 overs gone - Pakistan are 213/6.
4 overs gone - Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Any chances of crossing 250 here? It seems to be difficult.
GONE! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes and Asif Ali has become a victim of googly. Ali was expecting the ball to spin and he swung his bat. But completely misses the ball as it went on to hit the stumps. PAK 211/6
Yuzvendra Chahal's delivery is struck miles into the air by Asif Ali. Kuldeep Yadav ran towards it but it landed just a few inches away from him. Ali gets a lifeline.
WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah strikes as Shoaib Malik tries to cheek away a delivery going away from the stumps straight to MS Dhoni's gloves. Huge appeal from Bumrah and the umpire raises his fingers. Malik departs for 78. PAK 203/5
200 up for Pakistan! Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack and Asif Ali is back into the strike. He is excellent against fast bowlers and he would look to hammer Bumrah as well.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been taken to the cleaners here as he has hammered for 22 runs in the 42nd over. Two fours and two sixes and two singles. 22 runs in one over from Kumar. And Pakistan have broken the shackles with good old hitting out of the park. PAK 193/4 after 42 overs.
SIX! Perhaps Ahmed's dismissal was not that bad a thing. Asif Ali is Pakistan's most destructive batsman and he looks to be in the mood. Hammers two back-to-back deliveries for a six and a four. Pakistan on fire!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes into the attack with nine overs in the innings to go. Shoaib Malik charges and hammers it for a boundary on the firsst ball. Pressure on Bhuvi.
WHAT A CHANCE! India had a great opportunity to dismiss Shoaib Malik with another big mix-up in the middle between Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali. But Ravindra Jadeja's shy at the stumps went awry. Lifeline to Malik.
GONE! Kuldeep Yadav breaks the partnership with a quicker delivery as Sarfraz Ahmed plays it inside out straight into Rohit Sharma's hands. Captain, my captain. Ahmed walks back on 44. PAK 165/4
SIX! Slow and straight from Ravindra Jadeja. Shoaib Malik steps up and hammers a straight six. Pure delight to watch him bat, and he stands in picture perfect pose after the big one. Pressure on Jadeja straightaway on first ball. 150 up for Pakistan!
This has been excellent partnership between Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed and it has set Pakistan for a huge total.
FIFTY! Shoaib Malik scores his 43rd ODI fifty as he raises his bat to celebrate. The entire dressing room stands up to applaud the innings. He has been the backbone for Pakistan for a long time now, and he is still continuing to do so. 35 overs gone, PAK 141/3
Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack to replace Yuzvendra Chahal as India look to break the partnership. Jadeja has been expensive in this match. He has given 29 runs in 6 overs without a wicket yet.
30 overs gone - Pakistan 116/3! The partnership between Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed has now reached 58 runs. Can the two take Pakistan to 300. 20 overs to go.
Kedar Jadhav comes into the attack and he replaces Kuldeep Yadav. Jadhav took three wickets in the previous game against Pakistan and skipper Rohit Sharma would hope he can do so again.
100 up for Pakistan! The partnership reaches 43 runs between Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed and now India are once again going back for a hunt of wickets. Chahal replaces Jadeja. Maybe time for Jadhav to step in, too?
Tidy over from Kuldeep Yadav. He gives away just 1 run in it. But still a good partnership is being built between Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik. 25 overs gone, Pakistan 92/3
FOUR! A tidy over from Ravindra Jadeja ends in a horrible fashion for India. Sarfraz Ahmed stepped up on the slower delivery and then just directed it towards on side for a boundary. Huge gap in the field, and India pay the price. 22 overs gone, PAK 82/3
A wider delivery from Ravindra Jadeja deservedly punished by Shoaib Malik as he stretches his arms wide to smack it for a boundary. Pakistan trying to break the shackles. 20 overs gone, Pakistan 71/3
Pakistan need to build up a partnership here and they will happy that the two most experienced players - Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik are in the middle now. Indian is still maintaining the pressure, though and Pakistan are finding it hard to break the shackles for now.
Harsha Bhogle sums up the drama well:
WICKET! Babar Azam undone once again by excellent fielding from India. A mix-up in the middle between skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Babar Azam and. Excellent throw from Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravindra Jadeja and the two plotted the run out extremely well. PAK 58/3
The video showed that the ball struck Zaman's gloves. Why would he not call for a review? Strange! Either ways, 15 overs gone - Pakistan 56/2