XtraTime Web Desk: Forgetting a poor show against Hong Kong last night India on Wednesday beat it’s arch-rivals Pakistan emphatically by 8 wickets in the second and final group game of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium today. With this win Rohit & co are through to the super six as the topper of the group.
Chasing an easy total of 163 runs to win the Men in Blue chased down the total in just 29 overs. Both the openers skipper Rohit Sharma (52) and Shikhar Dhawan (46) have a steady start to the Indian team as they shared a partnership of 86 runs for the first wicket which eased the pressure a lot. Ambati Rayudu (31) and Dinesh Karthik (31) remained not out.
Earlier winning the toss England skipper Sarfraz Ahmed chose to bat first. The fans saw a totally different Indian bowling force today as they were more lethal with the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah in the side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was struggling last night after making a return in the playing XI from an injury looked in supreme rythm as he took 3 wickets by giving just 15 runs. part time spinner Kedar Jadav too bagged 3 wickets while Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav scalped 2 and 1 wicket respectively.
For Pakistan, Champions Trophy final hero Fakhar Zaman failed miserably today as he got out on a duck. Another opener Imam-ul-Haq returned to the pavilion on just two runs. After that veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik (43) and Babar Azam (47) tried to held the innings but after their departure the Pakistan batting line-up fell like a pack of cards and bundled out on just 162 runs.