India and Pakistan had already faced each other in the group stage of this year’s Asia Cup. India comfortably won the match by 8 wickets after restricting Pakistan to a lowly total of 162. Pakistan were heavily criticised for their performance and the collapse of their batting order which cost them the match. The two teams have been arch rivals since time immemorial and the fact that they both qualified for the ‘Super Four’ meant that they’ll play each other at least one more time. This could have been the ideal opportunity for the Pakistani team to seek revenge against the India side that thrashed them in the group stage. However, India, without their star captain and talisman Kohli, had other ideas.
Batting first, Pakistan could only manage 237 runs in 50 overs at the loss of 7 wickets.An important knock of 78 runs from Shoaib Malik made sure that Pakistan would at least get to a respectable total that would be competitive to say the least. The two Indian openers, ShikharDhawan and captainRohit Sharma seemed to have been playing in a league of their own. Dhawan’s quick fire 114 of 100 balls gave India the start it needed. Rohit Sharma stayed unbeaten on 111 to see off India’s run chase as they won the match by 9 wickets. With victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan, India has already confirmed their place in the finals of the Asia Cup with a game to spare. They will play Afghanistan tomorrow while the other finalist will be decided after the match between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
We all hope that the boys in blue will bring this one home.
