The second blockbuster of the Asia Cup 2022 between India and Pakistan took place at Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan captain Babar Azam called correctly at the toss and invited Rohit Sharma’s men to bat first at the crease. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul came out to bat with a clear intention of batting positively right from ball one. Both batters began scoring freely from the first over itself and put pressure on Pakistan bowlers.
The magnificent opening stand was broken at the score of 54 after 5.1 overs as Rohit Sharma returned back to the pavilion. Virat Kohli came to the crease and looked a completely different batter from the last India-Pakistan match. Kohli looked much more confident at the crease and rotated the strike comfortably.
The star batter carried the form from the last match into today’s game and found occasional boundaries. Pakistan came back into the match with back-to-back wickets of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. Indian innings was at an important stage at 131/5 and another wicket would’ve hampered India’s chances of posting a big total. Virat Kohli and Deepak Hooda then added crucial 37 runs for the sixth wicket.
Thanks to Virat’s half-century, India reached a total of 181 for 7 wickets at the end of 20 overs. The Pakistan openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam came out with an intention to give a blistering start to their team. The Indian team gave a big blow to Pakistan, picking up the crucial wicket of Babar Azam in the fourth over.
Pakistan, further, lost their second wicket on 63 as Fakhar Zaman’s struggle was ended at the crease. The third wicket partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz of 73 runs took the Pakistan team to ascendancy in the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought India back into the game by dismissing Nawaz in the 16th over. Rizwan’s incredible innings was also ended by Hardik Pandya in the 17th over.
The final three overs were full of drama as Indian bowlers looked under pressure and bowled many wide deliveries. Arshdeep Singh made the condition even worse by dropping a crucial catch of Asif Ali. Pakistan then made the game one-sided by smashing 19 runs in the penultimate over against Bhuvneshwar Kumar. There was another twist in the tale as Arshdeep Singh removed Asif Ali with Pakistan needing 2 off 2 balls.
All the drama came to end on the second last ball as Iftikhar Ahmed finished the match with a double. Pakistan avenged the loss of the first game and handed a defeat to India by 5 wickets in the Super Four stage. Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s loss:
Why Arshdeep why????????
It was an easy catch
I know it's pressure but ?#INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK— Bhook Lagi Hai Bahut (@I_am_op11) September 4, 2022
Well played #TeamIndia. We will come back stronger #INDvsPAK
— DINESH DADHICH ?? (@DineshD7737) September 4, 2022
I don't watch cricket. Haven't followed it for the longest time.
Except for India-Pakistan matches. And this is exactly fucking why.What a match! Unceasingly exciting. Cannot wait for the #INDvsPAK Asia Cup Final.
— Tipu Sultan (@tiputhesultan) September 4, 2022
Need #Bumrah, #Shami, #Ashwin back..#IPL kiddos can be in B or C teams. #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK #INDvPAK
— Sansar Katheria? (@sansarcasm) September 4, 2022
It's 1-1 in aisa cup for both the teams. ????
Both the team lost 1-1 bt Cricket won. Need this type of matches for the greatest rivalry.???
Lets wait for final now hope both team qualifies for the grand final ?#india#Pakistan #INDvsPAK #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #BabarAzam— K U N A L (@kuna1___) September 4, 2022
Finally Pakistan Took Revenge Successfuly From India What A Amazing Match Both Teams Perform Osm??
Rizwan Play Incredible Ining And Nawaz Is On ?#PakvsInd #AsiaCupT20 #INDvsPAK #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/R336VT7iTo— Irfan Ali (@theSkippered) September 4, 2022
Well played india?? It's okay to lose Losing teaches you something Having to try and learn from mistakes from this match ? #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK #INDvPAK #ViratKohli #cricket #RohitSharma #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup
— Kinshuk (@yadav_kinshuk) September 4, 2022
Terrible bowling and fielding India. Literally #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK
— ReRich (@RichaSikes) September 4, 2022
Looks like #india dont have better fast bowler than avesh khan & arshdeep .#bcci #INDvsPAK2022 #cricket #INDvsPAK #icc
— someone you know (@Pratik93757571) September 4, 2022
Gutted to be on the losing side but nevertheless what a nail biting match?? Just a request to my fellow Indians, lets not be too harsh on the poor lad, Arshdeep Singh. Even the best drop the simplest of catches. #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK #INDvPAK #AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup #ViratKohli
— Jyothis Philip (@IamJyothis) September 4, 2022
Apni team match ki ek b ball bgair suspense k ni guzarti hai #INDvsPAK
— MunzoOo? (@MissWierd13) September 4, 2022
Those who can't stand by their own team in defeat have no right to rejoice when the team wins ! #BleedBlue #TeamIndia #AsiaCupT20 #INDvsPAK2022 #INDvsPAK
— Dhumketu (@dhumketu101) September 4, 2022
All the journalists, PR and fans of certain cricketer erupted when Virat Kohli lost the match against Pak even after scoring a fifty.
Today no one will talk about the kind of captaincy by our all format captain Rohit Sharma.#INDvsPAK #ViratKohli
— cheeku_18 (@viratian_raj18) September 4, 2022
