'Brilliant' Pandya helps India edge Pakistan in Asia Cup thriller

29.08.2022 - 09:47 news24.com

Skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday lauded Hardik Pandya's brilliance with bat and ball after the all-rounder guided India to a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament.Chasing 148 for victory, Ravindra Jadeja, who hit 35, and Pandya, unbeaten on 33, put on a key fifth-wicket stand of 52 as India achieved the target with two balls to spare in Dubai.Pace bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pandya shared seven wickets to set up victory for India in their opening match as they bowled out Pakistan for 147.Pandya, who returned figures of 3-25 with his medium-pace bowling, then stood calm to hit the winning six in a tense chase in the six-nation tournament which acts as a tune-up for the T20 World Cup in October-November in Australia.India, who lost their previous match with Pakistan by 10 wickets in last year's T20 World Cup at the same venue, improved their win-loss record to 8-2 against the arch-rivals in Virat Kohli's 100th T20 international.Pandya, who earlier this year made a comeback into the national team after recovering from a career-threatening back injury, made the match his own.Winning moment ????#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/BRo8ByL9mo"Since the time he has made his comeback, he's been brilliant," Rohit said of the champion all-rounder, who led IPL debutants Gujarat Titans to the title in May."He is a lot calmer now and more confident about what he wants to do, whether it's with the bat or with the ball.

He can bowl really quick, we saw that today with those short balls."It was always about just understanding his game and he's doing that well now.

In a high-pressure chase with 10 runs per over needed, you can panic, but he never showed any of that."Naseem effectDebutant pace bowler Naseem

cricket cup Brilliant Rohit Sharma Hardik Pandya Asia Cup Ravindra Jadeja Australia India Dubai Pakistan

Sri Lanka and Pakistan would be squaring off in the final of Asia Cup on Sunday evening at the Dubai International Stadium. Sri Lanka did not lose a single match in the Super 4 stage while Pakistan lost only one and that loss came against Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka in a match that was pretty much a dress rehearsal for the summit clash. However, it is important to remember that for Friday's contest against Sri Lanka, Pakistan had rested Naseem Shah and he would be back for the Babar Azam-led side. The toss has played a crucial role in this Asia Cup as well, and Sri Lanka have won all their matches in the ongoing tournament when they have chased. Their only loss in this edition came in the group stage against Afghanistan and it was when they batted first.

"Don't Think He'll Be Good Option For India:" Ex-Pakistan Captain On Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Prospects in T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt feels veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar won't be a good option for Team India in the T20 World Cup. Bhuvneshwar picked 11 wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup, but leaked a lot of runs in the death overs. He bagged a five-for in India's final game of the Super 4 stage against Afghanistan on Thursday. While suggesting that Bhuvneshwar is an excellent new-ball bowler, Butt feels that the Bhuvneshwar lacks pace, which makes it easier for the batters to target him in the death.

"T20 Cricket Needs To Explore...": Ex-India Batter On Toss Playing Crucial Role in Asia Cup

The Asia Cup final will be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. India who were being touted as the favourites failed to make it to the final after winning just one game out of three while Afghanistan lost all of their Super 4 matches. However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has now highlighted how toss played a big role in the tournament. He also highlighted that India lost tosses in their three Super 4 games while Afghanistan lost two.

Asia Cup: Afghanistan Coach Condemns Behaviour Of Fans, Says Sports Should Be Treated As Sports

Afghanistan assistant coach has condemned the clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan fans after the team's defeat on Wednesday while addressing a press conference. Raees Ahmadzai expressed his disappointment over the behaviour of his players and the fans after the team's defeat against Pakistan in a last-over thriller. Speaking to the reporters, the coach also shed light on the team's learnings from the tournament. He appreciated the team for their performance in the Asia Cup and mentioned that they would apply the learnings in the next tournament they play.

India's T20 World Cup team likely to be picked on September 16, selectors fret over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness

TOI understands that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) intends to pick its team on September 16. As the deadline approaches, the selectors and team management are fretting over the fitness of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has been out of action since the England tour in July due to a back injury. Harshal Patel is also recovering from a rib injury.

Asia Cup 2022: Naseem Shah's Winning Six vs Afghanistan Reminds Babar Azam Of Javed Miandad. Ravi Shastri's Reply Is Gold

Young pacer Naseem Shah was the star of the show for Pakistan, but it was not with the ball in hand. He won the match for Babar Azam-led side with the bat, in fact, against Afghanistan in the Super 4 clash of the ongoing Asia Cup. Naseem smashed two sixes off the first two balls of the final over bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi to seal a one-wicket win for Pakistan. The match was one for the ages, and even skipper Babar could not hold his emotions at the post-match presentation.