Spinners shine as India thrash Pakistan in Asia Cup clash
India’s bowlers had already set up the victory. Axar Patel took 2-18, while Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin ripped through the middle order as Pakistan’s batting collapsed in the absence of partnerships.
Spinners led by Kuldeep Yadav helped India thrash Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Sunday, as the neighbours faced each other on the cricket pitch for the first time since a military conflict in May.
India lost two wickets after a fiery 31 off 13 balls from opener Abhishek Sharma, but skipper Suryakumar Yadav guided the chase with an unbeaten 47, sealing the target with 25 balls to spare.
Suryakumar shared a 56-run stand with left-hander Tilak Varma, who made 31 before being bowled by Saim Ayub. The captain remained firm and finished the game with a six, as Indian supporters celebrated in a stadium that had many empty seats. Players from both sides left the field without exchanging handshakes.
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Abhishek launched a blistering start, hitting Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi for a four and a six. Despite the early dismissal of Shubman Gill, he kept up the charge, striking four boundaries and two sixes before falling to spinner Ayub, caught at long-off while attempting another big hit.
India's bowlers had already set up the victory. Axar Patel took 2-18, while Kuldeep Yadav's wrist spin ripped through the middle order as Pakistan's batting collapsed in the absence of partnerships.
Hardik Pandya struck in the opening over to dismiss Ayub for a golden duck, and Jasprit Bumrah followed up by removing wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris for three.
Sahibzada Farhan, who top-scored with 40, tried to steady the innings alongside Fakhar Zaman, who made 17, in a 39-run partnership. But Axar broke the stand, dismissing Zaman, and later accounted for skipper Salman Agha for three.
Kuldeep then took charge, striking twice in successive deliveries to send back Hasan Nawaz (5) and Mohammad Nawaz (0), reducing Pakistan to 64-6 inside 13 overs.
Though wickets continued to tumble, Shaheen Afridi counter-attacked with four sixes in an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls, lifting Pakistan beyond 120 and ensuring they played out the full 20 overs.
With two wins from two matches, India are virtually assured of a place in the Super Fours stage of the tournament, with their final group fixture against Oman on Friday. Pakistan, despite this setback, are expected to progress when they face hosts United Arab Emirates next.
India resisted calls to boycott the T20 clash. The two sides have not played a bilateral series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were blamed on Pakistan-based militants. The recent hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges before a ceasefire was agreed.
