DUBAI: Hardik Pandya hit a six to seal a thrilling 5 wickets win for India against Pakistan in Dubai short while ago. India reached 148 runs for 5 wickets in 19.4 overs with Pandya remaining unbeaten with 33 runs off 17 balls.
Pakistan scored only 147 runs in 19.5 overs with opener Rizwan top scoring with 43 runs. Bhuveneshwar Kumar picked up the prize wicker of skipper Babar Azam for only 10 runs in the 3rd over. Ifthikar Ahamed contributed 28 runs and supported Rizwan in building a partnership of 45 runs for the third wicket. Hardik Pandya picked up crucial 3 wickets (3 for 25 runs) including Rizwan and Ifthikar and Pakistan were struggling to get to a decent score at 97 for 5 wickets. Bhuveneshwar Kumar picked up few more wickets to end up with 4 wickets for 26 runs in his allotted 4 overs. A quick fire 16 runs from S Dahani and 13 runs from Haris Rauf allowed Pakistan to reach 147 runs.
Chasing the modest score, India was in shock with K L Rahul being bowled out for zero by Naseem Shah. Kohli seemed to be returning to form in this crucial match and looked confident with 35 runs off 33 balls before Mohammad Nawaz picked up two consecutive crucial wickets of Skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli and had India struggling at 53 for 3 wickets in 9.1 over. Ravindra Jadeja and S.Yadav consolidated the innings before Yadav fell for Shah when the total was 89 for 4 wickets in the 14th over. Pandya joined Jadeja and kept the score board ticking and India needed 21 runs in the last 2 overs with 6 wickets in hand. Pandya batted brilliantly in the 19th over to bring India closer to the target with only 7 runs needed in the last over. Jadeja was bowled out for 35 runs by Nawaz for a rash shot in the last over. Pandya hit a brave six to seal a thrilling win for India showcasing his significance in the India team. The next match will be played on Tuesday between Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Sharjah. (RZ) Image credit : ESPN cricinfo
