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Home » Live Cricket Score » Asia Cup, 2018 » Summary

India vs Pakistan Live Cricket Score, Super Four - Match 3, Asia Cup, 2018, September 23, 2018

PAK 237/7 (50)
India beat Pakistan by 9 wickets
IND 238/1 (39.3)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : We had to wait for more than a year to watch India and Pakistan face each other a few days ago and today, they will lock horns for the second time within a week. Hello and welcome to the coverage of the Super Four stage in Dubai. Both the teams won their first encounter of the Super Fours, one quite convincingly and the other in the last over. However, they would want to make it two out of two and more-or-less book their spot in the final.
The last game between the two was a one-sided one with the Men in Blue emerging victorious. The Men in Green will be out for revenge today. Who will come out on top? Stay tuned to find out.
Babar Azam who is up for an interview, says, he looks to bat till the end. Informs the team is high on confidence as they are coming on the back of a win. Ends by saying he tries to play his normal game but there is pressure as they are facing India.
Ravindra Jadeja is now being interviewed on the sidelines. He says that one has to consistently prove himself in the international level so it is not easy. Mentions that he was watching his videos and that helped him to know what are his strengths and weaknesses. States that India-Pakistan is always a high-intense game and they will need to handle the pressure well.
PITCH REPORT - Sunil Gavaskar says it is very hot. Reckons the pitch might just open up as the game progresses and the spinners might come into play. Ends by saying the wicket however, should favor the batsmen as it looks like a flat one.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in favor of Pakistan. They elect to bat.
Pakistan skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed, says it is a used pitch and they will try and put a good score on the board. Adds further he is expecting more from Zaman and Amir who has come into the team in place of Usman Khan. Informs there is another change as Haris Sohail goes out and Shadab Khan replaces him. Reckons today's game is very important and they will look to give their best. Ends by saying they are looking for a score around 250.
India skipper, Rohit Sharma, says if they continue to bowl how they are doing then, they can restrict Pakistan to a decent total. Mentions the stat of India winning most games when he scores a fifty does not put him under pressure, he tries to bat normally and if he gives them a good start, it is good for the team. He is happy how his spinners are bowling, despite they being wicketless in the last game. Reckons the pitches here are quite slow and their spinners have done quite well in the middle
The players have made their way out for their respective national anthems.
Done and dusted with the national anthems and now we are all set for the game to begin. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq the Pakistan openers, make their way out. The latter will be on strike and he will be facing Bhuvneshwar Kumar who will bowl with the first new ball. Here we go...
0.1 : B Kumar to Imam, Swing first up but the line is a wrong one, down the leg side. Imam goes for the flick but misses. It has been wided. Pakistan are underway.
Action straightaway! A direct hit and it has been taken upstairs. Fakhar Zaman is the man in question. He seems relaxed though. However, you are never sure with direct hits.
B Kumar to Imam, NOT OUT! Zaman is well in. Imam works this round the corner on the leg side and goes for a run. Zaman is a touch late to respond. Chahal at square leg, runs towards the ball, picks it up and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Zaman is in.
0.2 : B Kumar to F Zaman, A little too wide outside off, trying to tail it back in from there. Zaman makes a leave.
0.3 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Closer to the off pole this time. Zaman defends it onto the ground.
0.4 : B Kumar to F Zaman, FOUR LEG BYES! Kumar has not got it right here. It is on the pads, Zaman fails to flick, the ball brushes the pads and goes down to fine leg and crosses the fence.
0.5 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Nicely punched! Shortish and outside off, Zaman, off the back foot, punches it towards cover-point. The fielder there makes a good stop and a run results. Fakhar had bagged two ducks in his previous two games. Would be relieved now.
0.6 : B Kumar to Imam, Better from Kumar! Ends the first over with a good delivery. On a length around off, kept out. So a good start for Pakistan.
Jasprit Bumrah to bowl with the second new ball from the other end.
1.1 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Hits the length hard around off, Zaman, off the back foot, defends it.
1.2 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Short ball and cramping the batsman for room. Zaman tries to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
1.3 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Excellent again! Bumrah knows, Zaman loves width outside off and he is not providing him that. He is bowling it tight, around the off and the middle stump. All Zaman can do is defend it out.
1.4 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, And again, nothing on offer, tight line around off. Zaman pushes it to covers.
1.5 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, 5 dots to start with! Again on the pads, Zaman may not be very comfortable with that line. He tries to flick but misses. Can Bumrah bowl a maiden?
1.6 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Bumrah bowls a maiden! Excellent line and length from the pacer. A good over to follow-up Kumar's poor first. On a length again around off, Zaman gets behind the line and blocks it.
2.1 : B Kumar to Imam, Slightly shorter in length around off, Imam flicks it to mid-wicket.
2.2 : B Kumar to Imam, Flicked nicely but finds the mid-wicket fielder. Imam should be pretty confident after his very good knock against Afghanistan.
2.3 : B Kumar to Imam, Poor ball again by Kumar! He is bowling it a touch too straight, Imam finds fine leg with the flick shot and a single results.
2.4 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Kumar gets away there! He bowls it in the strong zone of Zaman. Short and wide outside off, but he misses with the cut. That shows he is not in the best of touch, had he been at his best, that would have been slapped through the off side.
2.5 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Slightly short again on off, Zaman defends it with a straight bat. No swing now on display for Kumar. It was just that one ball which he got to tail back into the batsman.
2.6 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Goes full in search of some but there ain't any. Zaman times it to mid off. Just a single from this over.
3.1 : J Bumrah to Imam, Continues to bowl it closer to the body of the batsman. Imam works it towards mid-wicket.
3.2 : J Bumrah to Imam, BEAUTY! Excellent use of the angle there by Bumrah, also he gets very good carry on that one. The pace even surprised the experienced Dhoni as he fails to collect it cleanly. It is pitched on a back of a length and it slants away. Bumrah bends his back on this one as it takes of off the surface. Imam hangs his bat out but gets beaten.
3.3 : J Bumrah to Imam, Around off this time, Imam is solid in defense.
3.4 : J Bumrah to Imam, FOUR! Just evades the diving fielder at point! That was hit mighty hard! A rare loose ball by Bumrah and Imam puts it away. Short and wide outside off, Imam cuts it uppishly but away from the fielder at point and it reaches to the fence in a jiffy.
3.5 : J Bumrah to Imam, Blocks this out towards covers. So this is good batting by the opener, respecting the good deliveries and pouncing on any loose ones.
3.6 : J Bumrah to Imam, CUT HIM INTO HALF! A jaffa to end! On a length again around off, this one pitches and jags back in. Imam is cut into half as he tries to keep it out. Dhoni behind the stumps collects it with a dive.
4.1 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Just ahead of a length around off, Zaman chops it to cover-point. Has not got his timing yet, this should not frustrate him, he needs to hang in there.
4.2 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Again on the shorter side on off, Zaman stands tall and punches it to mid off.
4.3 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Another dot! Pressure building on Zaman. This is slightly fuller in length on off, Fakhar drives it to mid off.
4.4 : B Kumar to F Zaman, EDGED BUT RUNS! Once again not convincing there. On a length outside off, Zaman is guilty of playing away from his body and with no feet movement. He gets an outside edge, past the first slip fielder. Kedar at third man does well to keep it down to two.
4.5 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Around off, pushed at it with hard hands and it goes straight to covers.
4.6 : B Kumar to F Zaman, A single to end! This is exactly what he needs to do, nudge it around and run singles. He pushes this with soft hands towards mid off and takes a run. The fielder does have a shy but misses.
5.1 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Again around off, Zaman defends it onto the off side.
5.2 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, On a length again around off, Zaman pushes it towards wide mid off and takes a single. He needs to continue this, the singles will also not build pressure on him.
5.3 : J Bumrah to Imam, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
5.4 : J Bumrah to Imam, FOUR! How delightful it is to watch a left-hander play a ball through the off side! Yes, it was a half-volley but it still has to be put away. A man in form will not miss out. He lunges and drives it square through the off side and the ball races away.
5.5 : J Bumrah to Imam, In the fifth stump channel, Imam shoulders arms.
5.6 : J Bumrah to Imam, Again similar line and length, Imam lets it be. So two dots to end the over but a decent and sedate start for Pakistan.
6.1 : B Kumar to F Zaman, On a length around middle, Zaman works it to mid-wicket. He needs that one loose ball which probably gets him going. The Indian bowlers for now though are not giving him anything.
6.2 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Again cramping him for room by bowling it on his body. Zaman tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.
6.3 : B Kumar to F Zaman, Good length around off, Zaman mistimes it towards mid off and scampers through for a run.
6.4 : B Kumar to Imam, Right behind the line and Imam defends it out.
6.5 : B Kumar to Imam, BEATEN! Flirting with danger there. This was in the corridor of uncertainty. Imam tries to guide it down to third man but gets beaten. A muted appeal from Kumar but the umpire is not interested.
6.6 : B Kumar to Imam, Slightly shorter on middle, Imam nudges it to mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack. An early change by India, maybe because the pacers didn't seem that effective.
7.1 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Loopy ball on middle, Zaman defends it out.
7.2 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, EDGED AND RUNS AGAIN! Those edges of Zaman are working over time today. The straighter one from Chahal. Zaman plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge and goes through short third man for a brace.
7.3 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Tosses it up around middle, FZ works it with the turn to mid-wicket. No signs of spin as of now for Chahal.
7.4 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square. One run added to the total.
7.5 : Y Chahal to Imam, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.
Review time! A loud appeal has been turned down. Imam is the man in question. Dhoni wanted it to be reviewed and Rohit goes for it.
7.6 : Y Chahal to Imam, OUT! Excellent use of the review there by India and the change in bowling has worked wonders. Chahal strikes off the last delivery of his first over. Imam-ul-Haq has to take the long walk back, cheaply this time. Credit though has to be given to Dhoni here, he wanted the review to be taken and it turned out to be the right move. Chahal tosses this up around middle and off, it pitches and turns back in. Imam lunges forward to defend but his bat hits the pad first due to whi
Babar Azam comes out to bat. This is his 50th ODI and the talented youngster would be eager to put in an impressive show.
8.1 : J Bumrah to F Zaman, Fuller in length around off, driven crisply towards wide mid off for a sharp single.
8.2 : J Bumrah to B Azam, In the avenue of apprehension, angling in. Azam covers the line and defends it stoutly.
8.3 : J Bumrah to B Azam, This is a good channel to bowl to a man who is new at the crease. Bumrah hits the deck hard and bowls a skiddy back of a length ball around off. Babar is hurried by it and gets an inside edge onto his pads. He could have so easily chopped it onto his stumps.
8.4 : J Bumrah to B Azam, Short of a length on the fifth stump channel, Azam hangs back and punches it towards cover-point.
8.5 : J Bumrah to B Azam, Loose from Azam! This is only his fourth delivery and he is itching to get going. Needs to have patience. Shortish ball well outside off, Azam goes for a flashy cut but misses.
8.6 : J Bumrah to B Azam, A touch fuller from Bumrah around off, nipping in off the deck. Babar comes ahead and defends it nicely. Brilliant bowling from the sharp pacer. He is keeping the pressure on after the fall of the first wicket. One from the over.
9.1 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Zaman eases it down to long on for a run.
9.2 : Y Chahal to B Azam, The slider perhaps on middle, Azam goes back and punches it back to the bowler.
9.3 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Loopy ball on middle, the batsman works it towards mid on.
9.4 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Very full on off, Azam with the turn drives it down to long off to get off the mark.
9.5 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, In the air... but just wide of the fielder at leg slip! This is tossed up on middle, Zaman goes for the sweep but the ball hits his glove and goes uppishly past the fielder at leg slip for a run.
9.6 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Very risky shot, that was on the stumps, Azam goes back and cuts it to point. A dot to end Powerplay 1 and just like the last game between the two, India have dominated it.
Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav to roll his arm over now.
10.1 : K Yadav to F Zaman, Flighted ball on middle, Zaman eases it down to long on for a run.
10.2 : K Yadav to B Azam, Crisply driven but finds the fielder! Tossed up ball outside off, Azam smashes it but finds the fielder at covers.
10.3 : K Yadav to B Azam, With the turn works it to mid-wicket.
10.4 : K Yadav to B Azam, Turn there for Kuldeep! He gives it air around off, it pitches and turns back in. Azam tries to defend but the ball goes off the inner half towards short fine leg for a run.
10.5 : K Yadav to F Zaman, The googly on middle, Zaman pushes it down to long on for a run.
10.6 : K Yadav to B Azam, Another tossed up ball wide outside off, Azam drives again but finds the fielder at covers again. He should be finding the gaps on those.
11.1 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Slower through the air on off, Zaman defends it. Going nowhere are the Pakistanis at the moment. They need to go after the bowling a little. For now they are content to wait for the bad deliveries.
11.2 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Eases this down to long on for a run.
11.3 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Against the turn, Chahal flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
11.4 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Intent from Zaman, he dances down the track but goes all along the ground to long on. Another single.
11.5 : Y Chahal to B Azam, On off, BA pushes it through covers. He wants a run but is sent back.
11.6 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Flighted ball around off, Babar strokes it down to long off for a run.
12.1 : K Yadav to B Azam, Kuldeep bowls it slower through the air on middle, it is driven down to long on for a run.
12.2 : K Yadav to F Zaman, SIX! BANG! Enough of knocking it around says Zaman. This should get him going now. Trademark Zaman this. He goes down on one knee and sends this ball into the mid-wicket stand.
Another direct hit! Azam is the man in question but no excitement seen on the Indian faces.
12.3 : K Yadav to F Zaman, NOT OUT! Azam has made it with ease! Zaman does the right thing, after a maximum, he taps this with soft hands towards covers, looking for a run. The batsmen set off. Jadeja there, gets to the ball quickly and hits bull's eye at the keeper's end with an under arm throw. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Time for the replays and it shows Azam has his bat inside the crease.
12.4 : K Yadav to B Azam, WIDE! Down the leg side, Azam misses the flick and the umpire calls it a wide.
K Yadav to B Azam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
12.5 : K Yadav to B Azam, Flatter and on off, Azam punches it to coves.
12.6 : K Yadav to B Azam, Picks the googly and works it towards mid-wicket. Three dots to end a good comeback from Yadav but a good over for Pakistan, 9 from it.
13.1 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Floats it up on middle, Zaman defends it onto the ground.
13.2 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, A little too short but quicker, Zaman is hurried into the pull through square leg. A single results.
13.3 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Azam eases it down to long off and gets to the other end.
13.4 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, Zaman now does the same thing Azam did on the last delivery and another single results.
13.5 : Y Chahal to B Azam, Another loopy delivery outside off, Azam prods forward and strokes it through the off side for a run.
13.6 : Y Chahal to F Zaman, A couple to end another good over for Pakistan! This is on the pads, Zaman with the turn flicks it through short fine leg. Some good running helps the batsmen take two.
14.1 : K Yadav to B Azam, Good batting. Singles now coming quite often as Azam eases it to long on.
14.2 : K Yadav to F Zaman, FOUR! He favors the mid-wicket area and he favors the slog sweep shot against Kuldeep. Once again it is a tossed up delivery and Zaman slog sweeps it over mid-wicket and into the fence.
14.3 : K Yadav to F Zaman, OUT! Plumb in front! Kuldeep gets his revenge and he is delighted. One shot too many there by Zaman, having got a boundary on the last ball not sure if this was needed. He walks back just as his innings was starting to flourish. He goes for the sweep again but the ball is too full to play it. He also slips in the process and misses the ball. It hits him on the pads, even before the bowler appeals the umpire raises his finger. Zaman walks upto his partner and has a chat
Sarfraz Ahmed strides out to bat. The Pakistan skipper has promoted himself to No. 4. Can he rise to the occasion?
14.4 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Flighted ball on off, Sarfraz blocks it out.
14.5 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, With the turn SA works it to mid-wicket.
14.6 : K Yadav to B Azam, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. He was the Man of the Match in the previous game against Bangladesh. Can he deliver again?
15.1 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Starts off with a fullish ball on off, driven towards wide mid off.
15.2 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Jadeja drags his length back a touch, Ahmed hangs back and defends it down the track.
15.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
15.4 : R Jadeja to B Azam, Tossed up ball, driven through covers for a single.
Trouble, trouble, trouble... Seems like Babar Azam is run out. The Indians are already celebrating.
15.5 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, OUT! Confusion and Azam has faced the damage! This is a big, big wicket for the Men in Blue. Quicker through the air on off, Ahmed taps it towards cover-point and takes off. Azam responds to his call but seeing Chahal attack the ball, the Pakistan skipper sends him back. Babar is already halfway down the track and has to turn back. Yuzvendra picks up the ball and throws it back to Jadeja who takes the bails off as Azam seems to be struggling. It is referred upstairs.
Shoaib Malik is the new man in.
15.6 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Tossed up in line of the stumps, eased off the front foot towards wide mid on. A productive over for India.
Jasprit Bumrah is back on.
16.1 : J Bumrah to S Malik, Off the mark straightaway as Malik flicks the ball of his pads towards square leg for a run.
16.2 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, Around off and coming in with the angle, Sarfraz pushes it to mid on.
16.3 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, Hits the length hard again on off, Sarfraz is solid in defense.
16.4 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, On the pads, Sarfraz works it fine down the leg side and a run is taken.
16.5 : J Bumrah to S Malik, Back of a length around off, Malik guides it towards point.
16.6 : J Bumrah to S Malik, Good slower ball to end the 17th. Malik though lunges and keeps it out.
17.1 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, On the fuller side, SA eases it to long off for a run. This is what the two will do now for a few overs. The re-building face is on now.
17.2 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Flatter around off, Malik pushes it through covers for a run.
17.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Quicker again and on the shorter side, Sarfraz guides it through point for a run.
17.4 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Fires it on off, Malik guides it to backward point.
17.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Finds the cover fielder with a push.
17.6 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Strokes it down to long off and gets to the other end.
18.1 : J Bumrah to S Malik, Attacks the off pole, Malik defends it out.
18.2 : J Bumrah to S Malik, A little too straight by Bumrah, Malik flicks it down to fine leg for a run.
18.3 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, Slower ball around off, Sarfraz guides it towards point but Jadeja there runs to his right, dives and saves a run for his side.
18.4 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, Very full around middle, Sarfraz drives it towards mid on. The fielder fumbles but no runs conceded.
18.5 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, Three dots in a row! A yorker on middle, Sarfraz jams it out towards mid off.
18.6 : J Bumrah to S Ahmed, The bouncer to end the over! Using all his variations here and Sarfraz evades it.
19.1 : R Jadeja to S Malik, On off, Malik pushes it towards mid off for a run. Rohit there does score a direct hit at the bowler's end but the batsman is well in.
19.2 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Flatter on off, Ahmed pushes it down to long off for a run.
19.3 : R Jadeja to S Malik, FOUR! Much-needed one! That was deft from Malik. He waits for it, it is short and outside off. Malik guides it late through backward point and the ball races away.
19.4 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
19.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Flatter on middle, Malik punches it back to the bowler.
19.6 : R Jadeja to S Malik, So three dots after the boundary as Malik keeps it out off the front foot.
Kuldeep Yadav is back on.
20.1 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Tosses it up on off, the batsman keeps it out.
20.2 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, The googly, it stays a touch low. Sarfraz slaps it down to long on for a run.
20.3 : K Yadav to S Malik, Loopy ball on middle, Malik eases it down to long on for another run.
20.4 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, 3 consecutive singles as Sarfraz pushes it down to long on.
20.5 : K Yadav to S Malik, The wrong 'un, Malik picks it and blocks it.
20.6 : K Yadav to S Malik, On the shorter side and turning back in. Malik has all the time in the world to go back and flick it through square leg for a run.
21.1 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Quicker and shorter outside off, Malik tries to guide but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.
21.2 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Fires it on off, Malik keeps it out.
21.3 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Pushes it firmly down the ground towards long off for a run.
21.4 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Excellent bowling! Stump-to-stump line, not a lot you can do with those. Sarfraz has to be content with easing it down to long off for a run.
21.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
21.6 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, FOUR! Nice way to end the over! Nothing wrong with this delivery to be honest but a very clever shot there from Sarfraz. He is known to be street smart and he has shown us why there. He steps down the track, plants his front foot across and flicks it over mid-wicket. No fielder in the deep and the ball races away. 7 from the over.
22.1 : K Yadav to S Malik, Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run.
22.2 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Short ball on middle, Ahmed for goes the pull but finds mid-wicket. He will be disappointed there, he would feel a scoring opportunity goes abegging.
22.3 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Floats it up on middle, Sarfraz works it to mid-wicket.
22.4 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Flighted ball on middle, Ahmed keeps it out.
22.5 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Quicker and on the pads, Ahmed goes back and tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. He should have played that on the front foot.
22.6 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, So 5 dots to end the over, just a run from it as Ahmed finds the mid-wicket fielder with the flick shot.
23.1 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Malik tries to drop and run towards the off side but is sent back.
23.2 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Flatter on off, Malik punches it through covers for a single.
23.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Well fielded! Sarfraz plays the sweep shot, it goes fine. The fielder at short fine leg makes a very good stop and only a single results.
23.4 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
23.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Very short outside off, Malik says thank you so much, he guides it past backward point and there is no stopping those.
23.6 : R Jadeja to S Malik, keeps strike with a single down to long off.
24.1 : K Yadav to S Malik, The googly on off, Malik keeps it out.
24.2 : K Yadav to S Malik, Very full on middle, Malik pushes it down the ground for a run.
24.3 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
24.4 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Swept nicely but finds the man in the deep square leg region. Only a run.
24.5 : K Yadav to S Malik, A little too short but on the stumps, Malik tries to pierce the gap on the off side but finds the fielder at cover-point.
24.6 : K Yadav to S Malik, Tosses it up on middle, Malik defends it solidly. Just a couple from the over and the partnership between the two is 34.
25.1 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Tossed up delivery in line of the stumps, Ahmed shuffles and tries to go inside out over extra cover but mistimes it towards mid off. A single taken.
25.2 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Shorter in length on middle and leg, turned around the corner for a single.
25.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, That was a smart shot from Ahmed! Shorter in length again, around off, Sarfraz runs it late down to third man. Karthik runs behind and slides to keep the ball in play. Two runs taken.
25.4 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Good fielding! The captain is leading from the front. Ahmed makes room to this one and drives it towards wide mid off. Rohit dives to his right to deny the batsmen the single.
25.5 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
25.6 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Three dots to finish the over! On a flatter trajectory, coming in with the arm, kept out watchfully.
Kedar Jadhav comes on for a bowl. He was brilliant in the previous game against Pakistan.
26.1 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Starts off with a flat ball on middle and off, tucked to mid-wicket.
26.2 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Spinning into Malik as he tucks it through mid-wicket to rotate strike.
26.3 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Fuller in length, Ahmed milks it down to long on for a single.
26.4 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Down the leg side this time, easy pickings for Shoaib as he turns it through mid-wicket for a run.
26.5 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, As Gavaskar says, he releases the ball from the sea level. Bowled with a round-arm action around off, Ahmed takes a walk down the track and tucks it to the leg side.
26.6 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Fullish loopy ball on middle, eased to mid on. 3 from the over, a tidy over by Jadhav.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.
27.1 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Malik leans ahead to the tossed up ball and eases it through mid on for a single. 100 comes up for Pakistan.
27.2 : Y Chahal to S Ahmed, Ahmed stays leg side of the loopy ball and drives it with the spin through covers for a run.
27.3 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
27.4 : Y Chahal to S Malik, A bit shorter in length, slapped away square off the wicket.
27.5 : Y Chahal to S Malik, SIX! Clean as a whistle! Executed that with so much precision. Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Malik kneels and slog sweeps it against the spin in front of square leg. It is going, going and sails deep into the stands.
27.6 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Malik knocks the loopy ball to long off for a run and will retain strike. The 50-run stand comes up for the duo. It has been a good recovery from them but they still have a lot of work to do. 9 from this over.
28.1 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Slower through the air, spinning in. Shoaib milks it down to long on for a single.
28.2 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Similar delivery and this time Ahmed drives it down to the same area to rotate strike.
28.3 : K Jadhav to S Malik, That was a bit risky! Close to the off stump, skidding after pitching. Malik tries to guide it late down to third man but only manages to block it somehow.
28.4 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Loopy ball, driven with the spin to long on for another run.
28.5 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Tossed up generously around off, knocked down to long off for a run. They are rotating the strike nicely at the moment.
28.6 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Fuller in length again, no problem for Malik to hit it down to long on for a run and retain the strike.
29.1 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Slower through the air, defended solidly down the track.
29.2 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Floated delivery, Malik clears his front leg and drives it through mid off for a single.
29.3 : Y Chahal to S Ahmed, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
29.4 : Y Chahal to S Ahmed, Sarfraz thinks of coming down the track but Chahal shortens his length. Ahmed slaps it away towards backward point at the last moment.
29.5 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Stump-to-stump line from Chahal, driven with ease to long on for a single.
29.6 : Y Chahal to S Ahmed, On a flatter trajectory, cut away with the spin to point. Another frugal over, only 3 from it.
30.1 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Another delivery with a round-arm action, Malik eases it down to long on and takes a single.
30.2 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Tosses it up on middle, Ahmed strokes it down to long on for a run.
30.3 : K Jadhav to S Malik, Well placed by Malik! Shorter in length, Malik rocks back and pulls it past the right side of the straightish mid on fielder. A single taken.
30.4 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, FOUR! Drilled! Hit with a lot of authority. Loopy full ball around off, Sarfraz clears his front leg and nails the drive through covers to find the fence.
30.5 : K Jadhav to S Ahmed, Ahmed comes forward confidently and drives this one against the spin through mid off for a single.
30.6 : K Jadhav to S Malik, FOUR! This time Jadhav is guilty of bowling too short and gets the treatment. Short and outside off, there is space to work with and Malik cuts it with the spin past backward point for a boundary. 12 from the over, a very good one for Pakistan.
31.1 : Y Chahal to S Ahmed, That was risky! Loopy leg break in line of the stumps, Ahmed makes room and has a swing at it but gets it off the inner half past Chahal for a single.
31.2 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Slower through the air. Malik lunges in defense.
31.3 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Chahal gives this one a lot of air around off, Malik leans ahead and defends it solidly.
31.4 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Well played! Full ball well outside off, Malik reaches it and drives it through cover-point. Runs the first one hard and pushes his partner to come back for the second.
31.5 : Y Chahal to S Malik, The googly from Chahal, Malik goes for a booming drive but gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket.
31.6 : Y Chahal to S Malik, Flighted ball outside off, Shoaib drives it nicely to sweeper cover for a run. Moves to 46 from 55 with that.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns for a burst.
32.1 : B Kumar to S Malik, Back of a length ball outside off, Malik opens the face of his bat and glides it towards backward point. Wanted to play it finer but wasn't able to execute it.
32.2 : B Kumar to S Malik, Kumar opts to go full and bowls it in the tight off stump channel. Malik puts his head down and defends it calmly.
32.3 : B Kumar to S Malik, Short ball which comes at a nice height to Shoaib. He gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the carpet to deep mid-wicket. A run taken.
32.4 : B Kumar to S Ahmed, Brilliant work from Jadeja! He is certainly one of the best manning the point region. Fuller in length outside off, Sarfraz drives it hard to the left of Ravindra who dives full length to his left and makes a half-stop. A single taken. Saved a certain boundary there.
32.5 : B Kumar to S Malik, Pitched up ball attacking the stumps, kept out watchfully.
32.6 : B Kumar to S Malik, Too straight this time, pushed off the front foot towards mid on.
Ravindra Jadeja is back on.
33.1 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Tossed up ball around off, defended solidly from the comfort of the crease.
33.2 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Slower through the air, Sarfraz comes ahead and blocks it.
33.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Streaky! Coming in with the arm, Ahmed goes for the sweep but gets an inside edge through his legs towards the man at 45. A run taken.
33.4 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Walks into the tossed up ball and places it to long off for a run.
33.5 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Loopy delivery around off, defended down the track.
33.6 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Smart cricket from Ahmed! He takes a guard outside leg stump, enticing Jadeja to bowl outside off. He does so and he has been cut away to sweeper cover for a couple. 4 from the over.
34.1 : B Kumar to S Malik, On a length outside off, played with an open bat face towards point.
34.2 : B Kumar to S Malik, Good game awareness from Malik! He drives the overpitched ball towards mid off and takes off. He is quick between the wickets. There is a direct hit from Rohit but he is comfortably in.
34.3 : B Kumar to S Ahmed, Angling in nicely on a fullish length, Sarfraz pushes at it with hard hands and gets it off the inner half beside the pitch on the leg side.
34.4 : B Kumar to S Ahmed, On a length on the fifth stump channel, glided down to third man to change strike.
34.5 : B Kumar to S Malik, 43rd ODI fifty for Shoaib Malik! Back-to-back for him. He is in rich vein of form and he is capitalizing on the opportunity. This has come in a crunch game as well. Straighter line from Bhuvi. Malik moves inside the line and tucks it around the corner for a single. Raises his bat towards the crowd and gets a warm round of applause. Can he convert it into a big one? Pakistan will certainly desire so.
34.6 : B Kumar to S Ahmed, On a length, angling in from around off, Ahmed covers the line and blocks it. Only 3 from this one, 13 from the last four. India need a wicket though, these two have the caliber to tee off at the fag end.
DRINKS BREAK. And here is a fresh debate - Two new balls or one new ball? Mahela Jayawardene ponders on air... The Sri Lankan maestro observes that these days, fast bowlers struggle to pick up wickets during the death. Why? Because there is a lack of reverse swing. What is the reason for that? Because there are two new balls being used which means the ball will need to last for only 25 overs. In the earlier scenarios, especially in the late 90s and early 2000s, there used to be only one ball, wh
35.1 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Quicker through the air and on a fuller length around off. Malik pushes it through covers for a single.
35.2 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Not that well timed but he gets two good runs for it. Tries to go inside out but the timing is not spot on. Gets it over covers to once again take strike.
35.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, The batsman defends it from within the crease. One run added to the total.
35.4 : R Jadeja to S Malik, On a flatter trajectory, kept out from the comfort of the crease.
35.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Fired in line of the stumps, driven with the angle to long on for a run.
35.6 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Tossed up generously this time, Sarfraz takes a confident stride forward and smothers the turn.
Kuldeep Yadav to bowl again.
36.1 : K Yadav to S Malik, Starts off his new spell with a googly. Bowls it on the leg stump. Malik tries to read it off the pitch but gets it off the outer half towards cover-point. A single taken.
36.2 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, The conventional leg spinner on middle and leg, flicked towards wide mid on.
36.3 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, The wrong' un again but it is outside leg stump. Ahmed kneels and sweeps it towards fine leg for a run.
36.4 : K Yadav to S Malik, Third googly of the over, outside off, cut away with the spin to backward point.
36.5 : K Yadav to S Malik, On a flatter trajectory on middle and leg, kept out watchfully off the back foot.
36.6 : K Yadav to S Malik, The fourth wrong one of the over. It is short in length so Shoaib has ample time to turn it around the corner for a single.
37.1 : R Jadeja to S Malik, SIX! In the arc, out of the park! Malik is one of the best in the business when it comes to going over the top. Reads the bowler's mind so quickly. It is tossed up on off, Malik puts his dancing shoes on and tonks it way into the long off stands.
37.2 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Quicker and flat outside off, placed through point for a single.
37.3 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Coming in with the arm, Ahmed drags his heave to deep mid-wicket for a couple. That brings up the 100-run stand between the two. The two are mixing caution with aggression to perfection. Good going.
37.4 : R Jadeja to S Ahmed, Hangs back to the flatter ball and places it square of the wicket on the off side to rotate strike.
37.5 : R Jadeja to S Malik, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
37.6 : R Jadeja to S Malik, Leans ahead to the loopy ball and eases it to sweeper cover for a single. 11 from the over, exactly the kind of over Pakistan want at this stage.
38.1 : K Yadav to S Malik, Good running! A half-tracker on middle, Malik goes back and pulls it through square leg. He runs the first one hard and wants the second. The throw is not a very good one and the batsmen complete it with ease.
38.2 : K Yadav to S Malik, The googly on middle, Malik blocks it out.
38.3 : K Yadav to S Malik, Looped up in front of the batsman. He crouches and taps it with an angled bat through point for a run.
38.4 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, Nicely done! Shorter outside off, slapped through covers for a couple.
38.5 : K Yadav to S Ahmed, OUT! Ahmed holes out! The threatening 107-run stand from 138 balls has been broken. India will breath a sigh of relief. This one tossed up on a fullish length around off, Ahmed in an attempt to go over covers goes for a full blooded uppish drive but fails to get the desired elevation. Rohit Sharma at extra cover leaps and pouches it safely. Not what Pakistan would have wanted. Powerplay 3 is coming up and this wicket can take a toll on them.
Asif Ali is the new man in. He is known for his big hitting and Pakistan would love for him to play a good cameo here.
38.6 : K Yadav to A Ali, Tossed up nicely on off, defended solidly off the front foot. A wicket and 5 from the over, brilliant from Kuldeep.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back.
39.1 : B Kumar to S Malik, Overpitched on off, driven nicely but straight to the man at mid off.
39.2 : B Kumar to S Malik, Kumar drags his length back outside off. Enough time for Malik to run it down to third man for a single.
39.3 : B Kumar to A Ali, Edged but wide of the backward point fielder! On a length outside off, Ali flashes at it and gets it off the outer half behind the fielder. A single taken.
39.4 : B Kumar to S Malik, That would have been really close if there was a direct hit! Error in judgement from Malik. Full ball around off, Malik taps it towards point and takes off but he is sent back by his partner. He takes time to turn back as the best Indian fielder, Jadeja fires in a throw at the striker's end but misses. Replays show that if Ravindra had hit the bull's eye, Shoaib was a goner.
39.5 : B Kumar to S Malik, Hangs back to the length ball and punches it out towards wide mid on for a brisk single.
39.6 : B Kumar to A Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Powerplay 3 has been signaled! 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring now.
40.1 : K Yadav to A Ali, On a shorter length, kept out from the comfort of the crease.
40.2 : K Yadav to A Ali, Down the leg side, helped round the corner for a run.
40.3 : K Yadav to S Malik, Another close shave! Malik turns this one towards mid-wicket and calls his partner through. The fielder throws it back to the bowler as Malik drags his bat back in. A direct hit would have found him short.
40.4 : K Yadav to A Ali, Driven through mid on by the batsman.
40.5 : K Yadav to A Ali, This one spins in sharply from around off, Ali adjusts and works it nicely towards mid-wicket.
40.6 : K Yadav to A Ali, Stump-to-stump line from Kuldeep, Asif stays back and dead-bats it. 2 from the over.
41.1 : B Kumar to S Malik, FOUR! Not off the meat but enough on it! Malik lines up the length ball around off and takes it on. Clears his front leg and drags his heave over wide mid on. The fielder chases it but only comes second best.
41.2 : B Kumar to S Malik, Back of a length well outside off, glided down to third man to rotate strike.
41.3 : B Kumar to A Ali, SIX! Stand and deliver! That is the power that this youngster possesses. It is on a good length outside off, Ali stands tall and dismisses it from his presence. Super clean connection and the ball sails over the long on fence. Picked the bones out of that one.
41.4 : B Kumar to A Ali, FOUR! 10 from 2 balls! He is taking Bhuvi on. Slower off cutter on a fullish length outside off, Asif reaches for it and slices it over point to find the fence.
41.5 : B Kumar to A Ali, SIX! Make that 16 from 3! Big hitting at its best. He is such a good striker of the ball. Gets another one in the slot and dumps it over wide long on for another maximum.
41.6 : B Kumar to A Ali, That was flirting with danger! Back of a length outside off, glided towards backward point. The batsmen set off. Jadeja has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Malik might have been a goner.
42.1 : K Yadav to A Ali, Turning into Ali as he tucks it in front of square leg for a single.
42.2 : K Yadav to S Malik, Full ball on middle and leg, Malik clips it through square leg. They run hard between the wickets and come back for the second.
42.3 : K Yadav to S Malik, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
42.4 : K Yadav to A Ali, Good thinking from Kuldeep! He knows Ali is in the hitting mode and slips in a googly wide outside off. Ali swings at it but misses.
42.5 : K Yadav to A Ali, Plays this one with the spin through square leg for a single.
42.6 : K Yadav to S Malik, Floated delivery around off, kept out watchfully. Kuldeep Yadav finishes with figures of 10-0-41-2. Good performance from him.
Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack.
43.1 : J Bumrah to S Malik, Malik works this with the angle through mid-wicket. He runs the first one hard but he has to settle for a single. 200 comes up for Pakistan. They will be eager to score quickly now.
43.2 : J Bumrah to A Ali, Full marks to the bowler there but the batsman still gets runs! A yorker on the toes of the batsman. Ali somehow jams it out towards fine leg. Kumar there fumbles but concedes no extra runs. Two taken from the batsman.
43.3 : J Bumrah to A Ali, Very full ball around off, Ali squeezes it through wide mid off for a single.
43.4 : J Bumrah to S Malik, OUT! That's a painful way to depart! Soft dismissal really. India won't mind though. Bumrah goes wider of the crease and bowls a fuller length ball down the leg side. Malik tries to flick it across but gets a faint nick behind. Dhoni moves to his left and collects it. The umpire is quick to raise his finger. A tame end to a really good knock from Shoaib Malik. He departs at the wrong time for Pakistan, this could now probably make a difference of 10-15 runs to the fin
Shadab Khan walks in to bat.
43.5 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Leg Bye! On a length on middle and leg, Khan tries to tuck it away but the ball brushes his pad and rolls down towards short fine leg. A single taken.
43.6 : J Bumrah to A Ali, Spinning down the leg side, turned around the corner for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal comes back into the attack.
44.1 : Y Chahal to A Ali, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
44.2 : Y Chahal to S Khan, Tossed up ball, Shadab turns it through square leg for a single.
A referral for a run out has been taken upstairs. The man in question is Shadab Khan.
44.3 : Y Chahal to A Ali, In the air... but safe! Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Ali goes for the reverse sweep but mistimes it over short third man. Kuldeep hares after it and dives but the ball lands in front of him. The batsmen go for the third run as Yadav fires in a throw to the keeper's end. Shadab dives to get in as Dhoni takes the bails off. It is taken upstairs. The replay finds the batsman to be safe.
44.4 : Y Chahal to S Khan, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
44.5 : Y Chahal to A Ali, OUT! Bowled 'em! 50th ODI wicket for Chahal and he is cock-a-hoop. He slips in the googly on middle, Asif clears his front leg and goes for the slog sweep but misses it completely to hear the death rattle. A cameo from Ali comes to an end. The Men in Blue are certainly have a good time at this stage. Can they bowl Pakistan out?
Mohammad Nawaz comes out to bat.
44.6 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, Tossed up on middle and leg, tucked to the leg side. Another successful over for India. A wicket and 6 runs from it.
45.1 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Good length around off, it skids through. Shadab tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the off side and the batsmen take a run. Singles won't hurt India at the moment.
45.2 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, Another single! Nawaz taps it towards point and gets to the other end.
45.3 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Good fielding! Full ball, drilled towards extra cover where Chahal dives to his right to save certain runs for his side.
45.4 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Played to the point region by the batsman.
45.5 : J Bumrah to S Khan, On a tight line and length around off, cut away towards point where Jadeja stops it.
45.6 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Fourth dot in a row and Bumrah has finished the over nicely. Full ball at 142 kph, driven hard to covers this time. 2 from this one, excellent death bowling.
46.1 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, Chahal bowls the wrong one outside off, spinning away. Nawaz tries to cut it away but misses. The umpire doesn't signal a wide. That was a marginal call.
46.2 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, Short ball outside off, this time it is slapped away towards deep point for a brace.
46.3 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, On the shorter side of things, Mohammad punches it out for a brisk single.
46.4 : Y Chahal to S Khan, Great deception from Chahal! He bowls a loopy ball on middle and leg and it dips on the batsman. Shadab pushes at it but gets an outside edge towards short third man. A single taken.
46.5 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, Quicker one outside off, Nawaz flashes at it but misses due to the lack of bounce.
46.6 : Y Chahal to M Nawaz, FOUR! Shot! Gets the boundary which was really needed. It has spoiled what would have been a good over. Outside off, doesn't spin much. Nawaz lifts it over covers to pick up a boundary.
47.1 : J Bumrah to S Khan, On a length outside off, Shadab taps it to third man to rotate strike.
47.2 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, Full length ball in line of the stumps, squeezed out to mid off for a brisk run.
47.3 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Brilliant from Bumrah! He bowls a full and fast inswinging ball around off, Shadab pushes at it but gets it off the inner half in front of square leg. A run taken.
47.4 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, A dot ball is worth gold at the moment! Only 3 singles from the over so far. Very full ball outside off, Nawaz tries to dig it out but misses. Dhoni puts his hand up to appeal but then bails out. There was a noise but that might be of the bat hitting the ground.
47.5 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, Another dot! Full ball, swerving in, Nawaz tries to put bat to ball but is hit on the pads.
47.6 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, Full ball on off, hit to mid off for a sharp single. Only 4 from the over, great stuff.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back for the penultimate over.
48.1 : B Kumar to M Nawaz, A yorker on middle, Nawaz is successful in digging it out past the bowler for a run.
48.2 : B Kumar to S Khan, Another pinpoint yorker on off, Shadab digs it out to scamper across to the other end.
48.3 : B Kumar to M Nawaz, Nawaz is expecting a yorker but Bhuvi bowls a wide full toss, following him. Lofted over mid off for a single.
48.4 : B Kumar to S Khan, Wide! Kumar slips this one down the leg side, Shadab tries to swipe it across but misses. Gets an extra for his team though.
B Kumar to S Khan, Very full ball, tailing in, Shadab slices it away towards point where Jadeja dives to his right to make a good save. Keeps it down to a single.
48.5 : B Kumar to M Nawaz, Kumar hits the blockhole once again, Nawaz can only hit it as far as mid off. A single taken.
48.6 : B Kumar to S Khan, Low full toss, Shadab swings it over mid-wicket for a run and will retain strike. 7 from the penultimate over. Pakistan need 18 in the last over to reach 250 but it will be difficult for them to score those against Bumrah.
49.1 : J Bumrah to S Khan, Another one in the blockhole, jammed out towards square leg for a single.
49.2 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, A direct hit would have been curtains for Nawaz! Fullish ball on middle, hit away towards Jadhav at mid off and the batsmen set off. He aims at the bowler's end but misses.
49.3 : J Bumrah to S Khan, OUT! Dragged on! Another one bites the dust. Very full ball, tailing in. Shadab swings hard at it but gets an inside edge onto his back pad and the ball deflects onto the stumps.
Hasan Ali is the new man in.
49.4 : J Bumrah to H Ali, Very full ball attacking the stumps, helped down to short fine leg for a quick run.
49.5 : J Bumrah to M Nawaz, Brilliant! Very full ball on off, Mohammad digs it out towards point and can only get a single.
49.6 : J Bumrah to H Ali, A yorker on off, Hasan squeezes it away towards mid-wicket from a run. Only five from the final over, Bumrah finishes with figures of 10-1-29-2. PAKISTAN FINISH ON 237/7!
A really good bowling performance from India has allowed them to restrict Pakistan under 250. They were especially brilliant at the fag end of the innings, only conceding 26 in the last five overs. Pakistan recovered strongly after they had lost 3 wickets for only 58 runs. Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik being the reason for it as they stitched a 107-run stand. The former missed out on a fifty but the latter did score a fine one.
The Indian bowlers bounced back with aplomb though. Kuldeep got the better of the Pakistan skipper and after that, Asif Ali did play a breezy cameo but once he fell, things went downhill for the Men in Green. Shoaib Malik soon followed and the lower order couldn't capitalize when it was really needed.
Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant up front and at the death as well, taking two wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was on the money later on and though he went wicket-less, he was really frugal. Chahal and Kuldeep controlled things in the middle overs and picked up two wickets apiece. From the way India have batted so far in the tournament, it won't be a very tough task. However, if Pakistan take a few quick wickets with the new balls, the middle order might become vulnerable.
Yuzvendra Chahal, who is up for an interview, says he has worked on his variations. Reckons the wicket is a touch slow and it is better to bowl with the new ball. Adds further the first ten overs will be quite crucial and their batsmen need to be cautious against the two new balls. Admits he loves bowling with Kuldeep and they always have a plan according to which they bowl.
The wicket is turning a little and it is on the slower side. Also, this will be the first time India will be chasing something above 200 in the tournament this year. 285 is the highest chase in Dubai and if you bowl well, 240 may also seem to be a good target. All-in-all, we believe this can be another game in this tournament which can go down to the wire. Join us shortly for the chase.