ROHIT, SHIKHAR TONS TORMENT PAKISTAN
INDIA REGISTER COMFORTABLE 9WICKET VICTORY IN ASIA CUP CLASH
Skipper Rohit Sharma and fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan thrashed Pakistan bowlers to help India move into a winning position in their Super Four match here on Sunday. India, who had already beaten Pakistan in the group stages last week, were 179 without loss at the end of 30 overs.
An India win would guarantee them a place in the final with the last Super Four match against Afghanistan largely of academic interest.
Rohit Sharma was on 84 off 90 deliveries (6x4, 3x6) while Shikhar Dhawan was on 94 off 90 deliveries (13x4, 1x6).
The India openers blunted Pakistan pace ace Mohammed Amir, taking him for 41 runs in five overs. In fact, Amir was taken off after just two overs as he didn’t seem to trouble the India batsmen.
Pakistan had an early opportunity to get rid of Rohit off Shaheen Afridi but Imam-ul-Haq dropped him at cover.
After that, Dhawan and Rohit played flawless cricket as the modest 238-run just didn’t seem enough for them.
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan went for 54 in his eight overs.
Earlier, Pakistan scored 237 for 7, led by Shoaib Malik’s halfcentury.
Veteran Malik scored 78 off 90 balls and added an invaluable 107 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (44 off 66 balls) to enable Pakistan go past 200. Pakistan have been struggling throughout this series. The Pakistan innings could be segregated into three distinct parts. A slow tart where India made inroads followed by solid middle-overs batting before failing to utilise the last 10 overs with Jasprit Bumrah (2/29 in 10 overs) being brilliant at the death.
India started well and for that they need to also thank MS Dhoni who got a review right.