Asia Cup T20 2016: India thrash Pakistan by 5 Wickets; Virat Kohli and Hardik Shine

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Every time, India and Pakistan play, there is bound to have some high voltage drama. This time, both the Cricket giants were playing against each other at the ongoing Asia Cup T20 2016.

Indian Bowler Forced Pakistan to Surrender Again in Dhaka

There was plenty of expectations and emotions in and out of the field, but the most anti-climax part of the match was Pakistan’s complete surrender to Indian bowlers for just 83 after 17.3 overs. Indian bowlers showed disciplined line and length attacking Afridi and Co. from the very beginning.

Hardik was SUPERB

All-rounder Hardik Pandya’s stunning spell (3.3-0-8-3) with the bowl thoroughly dismantled Pakistan’s batting order including the prized wicket of the veteran Shoaib Mallik (4) at cheap score.

Top 10 Interesting Facts and Stats

  • India and Pakistan have clashed against each other 12 times with India and Pakistan winning 6 and 5 times respectively. Only 1 match was abandoned due to rain in the Asia Cup 1997.
  • The two cricketing giants India and Pakistan have never faced-off against each other in the history of Asia Cup finals.
  • India won Asia cup 5 times while Pakistan have been Asia Cup champions 4 times in the 12 editions of the Asia Cup so far.
  • Hardik Pandya’s 3 for 8 is the best bowling figure between India Vs Pakistan T20 match at Asia Cup.
  • With this match, Pakistan have got below 100 score seven times in T20Is.
  • For the first time, both Indian openers (Rahane and Rohit Sharma) got out for a duck in T20Is.
  • Out of Jasprit’s 3-Over spell, he got 16 of them as dot balls. Remaining 2 balls were hit for fours.
  • This was Pakistan’s lowest total (83) against India in T20Is.
  • Virat Kohli has an average of 36 batting first and record 73 batting second in T20Is.
  • Kohli is the leading scorer against Pakistan in T20Is. He got 199 runs in 5 matches against the arch-rivals at an average of 66.

The Toss

Earlier, MS Dhoni decided to bowl first on winning the toss. The ploy was to put the pressure back on Pakistan at a relatively green pitch at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. India were confident of its strong batting line up and with an easy target of 84 to chase the match was completely in control. But India began with a nervous start losing both Rahane and Rohit Sharma for a duck in the very first over off Mohammad Amir.

Dream Comeback by Amir

Interestingly, for Mohammad Amir it was a dream comeback. Having returning to the side after a long hiatus due to his alleged match-fixing scandal, these two wickets at this pressure match was more than bliss. Meanwhile, India continued to struggle. Amir was receiving good support as other bowlers also tightened their grip in the match in the few inital overs. Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina tried to ease the pressure off but left handed Raina (1) got dismissed by Amir in his second over.

Virat Kohli’s Patience and India’s Win

But Virat Kohli completely took care of the rest and started picking up singles and doubles and occasional boundaries to reach closer to the target without taking much risk. He was well supported by Yuvraj Singh from the other end as the duo set to chase the target. Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi called in Mohammad Amir to create some pressure but the strategy backfired as Amir gave away 8 runs in his final over without a wicket. His final spell read 4-0-18-3 and was looking dangerous in his first few overs when India came out to bat but couldn’t stop India from winning the match.