In a highly anticipated clash, the arch-rivals India and Pakistan squared off in the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday, but their hopes were dashed by persistent rainfall, which eventually led to the match being called off without a result. Despite the weather intervening, the game still managed to deliver some exhilarating moments and standout individual performances.
In the initial stages, Pakistan's bowlers had the upper hand, making it a tough challenge for the Indian batsmen to find their footing. The star of the show for Pakistan was Shaheen Afridi, who wreaked havoc on India's top order with his fiery bowling. At one point, India found themselves in a precarious position at 66/4. However, it was the duo of Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan who emerged as the saviors for India, orchestrating a remarkable comeback. Together, they stitched together a partnership of 138 runs for the fifth wicket. Kishan led the charge as India's top scorer with 82 runs, while Pandya played a pivotal role with an impressive 87 runs to his name. Pandya's mature and composed innings was a stark contrast to his previous struggles during the West Indies tour.
What truly stood out in Pandya's innings was his ability to rotate the strike and maintain his composure even under intense pressure. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden showered praise on Pandya for his exceptional performance, emphasizing his crucial role in supporting Kishan at the other end.
" He (Hardik Pandya) should’ve scored 120. He knew he had Ishan Kishan at the other end. But he played really well. He did exactly what India needed in that situation, soaked in the pressure. He was able to manipulate the strike, he was able to manoeuvre the spinners. He made sure Ishan Kishan was at ease at the other end. In my opinion, it was a captain’s knock. Rohit Sharma couldn’t, but Hardik Pandya did," said Hayden during the mid-innings show on Star Sports.
Just as both Pandya and Kishan were closing in on their respective centuries, Pakistan's Haris Rauf dismissed Kishan, while Afridi's well-executed slower delivery outwitted Pandya. The fall of these key wickets marked a turning point in the match, and India, who had earlier set their sights on a total of 300, eventually got bundled out for 266.
Also Read: India vs Pakistan Match called off Due to Rain
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