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Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja's heroics with the bat helped India defeat Pakistan by five wickets to win their first Group A match in Asia Cup 2022 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. After Pakistan made 147 all out in 19.5 overs, India needed 59 off the last six overs on a two-paced pitch.
From there, Pandya (33 not out) and Jadeja (35) shared a stand of 52 runs off just 29 balls. Even though the left-handed Jadeja fell in the final over, Pandya finished off things with a six over long-on to take India over the line and add another thrilling chapter in the history of India-Pakistan clashes.
Just like Pakistan, India had an eventful first over. Debutant pacer Naseem Shah struck on just his second T20I ball, as K.L Rahul inside-edged to his stumps. Virat Kohli, playing in his 100th T20I, was dropped by Fakhar Zaman at second slip while chasing a wide one. Kohli was nervous in his start as many inside and outside edges came off his bat.
He showed signs of his authoritative self when he pulled through mid-wicket off Shahnawaz Dahani in the second over. After a top-edge went over keeper's head for a six, Kohli's authority was visible in his slash through cover and whipping over mid-wicket to collect two boundaries.
Rohit Sharma, cautious till then, opened up in eighth over when he slog-swept Mohammad Nawaz over long-on. But the left-arm spinner had the last laugh as Rohit holed out to long-off on the final ball of the over. In his next over, Nawaz had another big scalp as Kohli chipped straight to long-off.
Jadeja started off his promotion at number four by smacking Nawaz down the ground for a 98m six. He and Suryakumar Yadav got a four each and relied mainly on strike rotation to keep the scoreboard moving.
The 36-run stand was broken by Naseem, who knocked off Suryakumar's off-stump on the first ball of his second spell. With 41 needed off the last four overs, Jadeja and Hardik Pandya hanged in to bring the equation to 32 off the last three overs. Like India, Pakistan too were penalised for a slow over rate as one extra fielder came into the 30-year circle.
By then, Pakistan were struggling as their pacers got cramps and Jadeja survived an lbw appeal off Naseem Shah clearly in pain after a review showed the ball pitching outside the leg-stump. On the very next ball, Jadeja lofted with a straight bat down the ground for six as India needed 21 runs off the last two overs.
On the third ball of the 19th over, Pandya flat-batted Haris Rauf over extra-cover and got a boundary as Babar chased the 'all, but couldn't stop it from hitting the boundary rope. Pandya then swatted Rauf over wide long-on and brought out a short-arm jab on the last ball for a four splitting deep mid-wicket and long-on for perfection.
With seven needed off the final over, Nawaz struck on the first ball as Jadeja was clean bowled while going for an expansive slog. Pandya finished off the match in style by clobbering Nawaz over long-on to win an absorbing contest.
After team India emerged as victorious defeating Pakistan in today's match, wishes got flooded for the team from different quarters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian cricket team for its win over Pakistan in an Asia Cup game, and said it displayed superb skill and grit.
PM Modi tweeted, "Team India put up a spectacular all-round performance in today's Asia Cup2022 match. The team has displayed superb skill and grit. Congratulations to them on the victory."
#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
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi hailed the Indian cricket team's performance.
"What a thriller of a match! Well played, Team India. The beauty of sports is how it inspires and unites the country with a feeling of great joy & pride," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.
What a thriller of a match! Well played, #TeamIndia 🇮🇳
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 28, 2022
The beauty of sports is how it inspires and unites the country - with a feeling of great joy & pride. #AsiaCup2022
Former International cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised Team India after their win.
"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 Jadeja & Virat. Congrats on a nail-biting win." Sachin Tendulkar said in a tweet.
It came down to fitness of the fast bowlers while put under pressure, though both teams’ pacers bowled well upfront.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 28, 2022
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
Taking to Twitter cricketer VVS Laxman wrote, "A high voltage contest these #INDvPAK games, and the boys have shown tremendous composure and character. Very well played to begin the Asia Cup with a remarkable win."
A high voltage contest these #INDvPAK games, and the boys have shown tremendous composure and character. Very well played to begin the Asia Cup with a remarkable win.#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/Awidw6WPFD
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 28, 2022
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli tweeted, "Special win on a special day!"
Special win on a special day! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/7WmE7GeJMD
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 28, 2022
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur congratulates team India for defeating Pakistan in Asia Cup match.
He wrote," What a win for our #TeamIndia in this nail biting match against arch rivals!! Congratulations for a flying start in Asia cup."
What a win for our #TeamIndia in this nail biting match against arch rivals!!
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 28, 2022
Congratulations for a flying start in Asia cup. #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/j93TOmBGkY
(IANS inputs)
