India maintain their hold over Pakistan with heated Super Four victory

Round two of India versus Pakistan in the Asia Cup went the top-ranked T20I team’s way on Sunday in Dubai, a seven-wicket victory putting them on top of the Super Four stage of the tournament. Chasing a target of 172, India were given a rousing start by Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill who put on 105 from 59 balls to ease the workload for the remaining batsmen. 

It took India 18.5 overs to finish the job, primarily because once Abhishek was dismissed for 74 off 39 balls the innings gave way a little, but the result was never in doubt. 

A week after their previous encounter at the same ground, the mood was very much the same between the two historical rivals. No handshakes at the toss, a rather terse mood hanging over the proceedings presided over by ICC match referee Andy Pycroft – against whom the Pakistan team and its board had taken umbrage the previous Sunday – and the match itself threw up some heated moments. 

Haris Rauf had words with Abhishek, and the Pakistan pacer was later seen gesturing a provocative fighter-jet celebration and 6-0 sign to some Indian fans behind the boundary line who were chanting ‘Kohli! Kohli!’ to try and rile him up, actions which drew widespread attention and debate. Earlier in India’s chase, Gill also had a few things to say to Afridi whom he clattered for a couple boundaries. 

Abhishek, as he has done all tournament, began as he meant to finish – pulling Shaheen Afridi’s first ball for six and then cracking four fours and as many sixes to raise a 24-ball half-century. Gill made 47 off 28 balls with some lovely drives and trademark flat-batted swats through midwicket, and a century stand erased all hopes Pakistan had of defending 171. 

A break for drinks during the tenth over when Gill seemed to be struggling with cramps brought about an entry for Pakistan, as the opener was bowled by seamer Faheem Ashraf immediately on resumption of the chase. 

Then Suryakumar fell for 0, top-edging Rauf to third man, and Abhishek mistimed a shot to the deep off Abrar Ahmed. Tilak Varma, however, finished the job with 30 off 19 deliveries, hitting Afridi for six and four to win the match. 

It wasn’t as clinical a victory for India over Pakistan as seen in their last game, however. Suryakumar Yadav won the toss, but the desired proficiency was lacking as India put down five catches. 

Dropped on 0 and 32 by Abhishek– tough chances both outside the circle – Sahibzada Farhan rode his luck to make 58 off 45 deliveries, but his dismissal came during a period in which Pakistan lost their way. Having been 91/1 after 10 overs, Pakistan managed to score 80 runs in the next 10 as India pulled matters back. 

Fakhar Zaman and the Pakistan dugout didn’t at all seem convinced about the catch that Sanju Samson took behind the stumps off a slower delivery from Hardik Pandya, but their mood was quickly bettered by the assault that Farhan took on Jasprit Bumrah. 

Two fours in the fourth over were followed by a couple more in the sixth, after which Pakistan’s score was 55/1. Three overs for 34 runs proved Bumrah’s most expensive Powerplay spell to date. 

Saim Ayub averted a fourth consecutive duck when he authoritatively pulled Pandya for four, but then was reprieved without a run added. Looking to slog sweep Varun Chakravarthy, Ayub skied the ball to short fine leg where Kuldeep Yadav put down the catch. To rub it in, Farhan slogged Kuldeep for two sixes in an over to further accelerate Pakistan’s strong start and then crashed Axar Patel for six more to raise a 34-ball fifty. 

A dangerous partnership was ended by Shivam Dube who forced a mistimed pull from Ayub which Abhishek held onto, running in from deep square leg. Then came the collapse. First ball of the 14th over, Kuldeep drew a false shot from Hussain Talat, and six balls later Dube had another wicket when Farhan mistimed a slower cutter. 

This period allowed India to regain lost ground. Suddenly, Mohammad Nawaz was 7 off 13 balls, struggling against Kuldeep and Chakravarthy. The two spinners did well to concede 56 off their combined eight overs. 

Gill was also guilty of sloppy fielding when he dropped a straightforward catch at deep midwicket to give Faheem Ashraf a life off Bumrah. Ashraf contributed a handy 20 off eight balls to get the score to 171, ending the innings with a sliced six over deep backward point where the fifth catch by an Indian fielder went down.