If Alex Ferguson would have been a part of cricket, he would have definitely gasped “Cricket, bloody hell! It couldn’t have been a better start to the Asia Cup for two of the continent’s finest teams as Team India prevailed in the end over a warring Pakistan who kept the game going till the dying moments only for Hardik Pandya to administer the coup de grace.
Rohit Sharma won a very important toss and opted to field first. India was off to a flyer as Bhuvneshwar Kumar banged the opening blow with Babar Azam miscuing his effort as Arshdeep Singh bagged a safe take. Despite a decent stand between Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan, the joys were shortlived as Avesh Khan hammered the second blow of the night.
Here is what Twitter had to say about India emerging victorious over Pakistan
Iftikhar Ahmed and Rizwan kept the wheels rolling but the Indian bowlers got some decent momentum going their way as the run rate remained in control despite a brewing partnership. However, once Hardik Pandya provided the crucial breakthrough of Iftikhar Ahmed, the Indian bowlers battered down the doors as the Pakistani resistance started fizzling away in thin air.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya were the ones who took charge as the duo plundered 7 wickets between them with significant help from Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan seeing Pakistan getting skittled out before the completion of their 20 overs for 147.
India was dealt an early blow that saw KL Rahul departing for a golden duck while Virat Kohli was dropped on his very second ball. However, once the initial storm was weathered, Team India rode on some imperious batting from Virat Kohli who spearheaded the Indian charge while Rohit Sharma dropped anchor at the other end.
Much to India’s surprise, they lost Rohit and Kohli to Mohammed Nawaz on consecutive deliveries that allowed Pakistan to settle back in. Suryakumar Yadav tried desperately to stay on his feet but a battling knock finally met its end after Naseem Shah conjured an absolute ripper.
It needed some coaxing from Pandya and Jadeja, but the seasoned duo kept the hopes going and took India almost to the finishing line, before Jadeja lost his line and it needed a couple of deliveries to intensify the twist before a reposed Pandya launched Mohammed Nawaz across the ropes to bag the bragging rights for Team India.
Twitter was absolutely exhilarated to witness the Men in Blue getting off to a winning start and here is what they had to say about this ecstatic win.
AdvertisementCelebration mode😍🔥 pic.twitter.com/8rJiryIzVR
— ⚔️கோளாறு⚔️ (@Kolarpatti) August 28, 2022
The heroes for India 🇮🇳#INDvPAK #INDvsPAK #TeamIndia #IndiaVsPakistan #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/E5uBWpA6zF
— RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) August 28, 2022
Memorable win this, an outstanding win for Team India. Hardik Pandya really special with both bat and ball. Bhuvi showing his class with the ball and great support by the whole team. Many congratulations Team India #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/10ZhVV5z92
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 28, 2022
This fucking confidence made India win
Legend pandya #AsiaCup2022 #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/WYoueGVdFV— vinnu 🔔 (@Vinay16956145) August 28, 2022
Take a bow #HardikPandya
Congratulations Team India for Yet another victory over Pakistan. #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/ZWtcn1rPxj— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) August 28, 2022
A nail biting encounter.. but in the end the difference between both the team was Hardik Pandya. #IndvsPak pic.twitter.com/FMAZjE6DA9
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) August 28, 2022
And We won , India won, Party Shuru🥳🥳🥳#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/hREI3GsQfA
— Amit Kumar (@AMIT_GUJJU) August 28, 2022
The level of confident …#pathukalaam #hardikpandiya #AsiaCup2022 #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/PBFFCJnOfY
— IndiaGlitz – Tamil (@igtamil) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya at every difficult situation ☝🏻#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/hIsUq8M0nl
— prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) August 28, 2022
Wow wow wow ! Fantastic Hardik Pandya. Sab kuchh main karega. Brilliant performance by Bhuvi, good hand by Jaddu and Kohli as well.
Glad to see a close #INDvsPAK match after a long time. Mast maza aa gaya. pic.twitter.com/HLNrnLRpK8— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 28, 2022
