Asia Cup: Dhawan, Rohit star in another A+ effort against Pakistan

Ajit Vijaykumar 23:17 23/09/2018
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  • Dhawan and Rohit both smashed centuries against Pakistan on Sunday.

    India put in yet another superlative performance to seal a spot in the final of the Asia Cup following a crushing nine-wicket win over Pakistan in their Super Four clash on Sunday.

    Pakistan batted first and after looking like they would make over 250 at one stage, were restricted to 237-7 after some excellent bowling in the death overs by India’s bowlers.

    It seemed like a stiff target but openers Shikhar Dhawan (114) and Rohit Sharma (111 not out) decimated Pakistan’s bowling as the two added 210 for the opening wicket.

    Dhawan smashed his second century of the Asia Cup and Rohit made his 19th career ton as India chased down the runs in 39.3 overs.

    India have now won all four matches of the Asia Cup so far and are the team to beat.

    THE GOOD

    Shoaib Malik.

    Shoaib Malik.

    Malik’s fifty – The veteran Pakistan batsman enjoys batting against India. He averages more than 48 against the traditional rivals as opposed to a career average of 35. He looked in control from the moment he came out, which is understandable following his match-winning fifty against Afghanistan and 43 against the Indians in the group stage.

    Bumrah’s control – While every other Indian bowler went at more than four and five an over, the pace spearhead was in a league of his own. Not a single batsman could get on top of him as he bowled his 10 overs for just 29 runs, delivered a maiden and picked up two wickets. An in-form Bumrah gives India’s bowling a lethal edge.

    bumrah1

    THE BAD

    Pakistan’s running and fielding – Run-outs are never good. But losing your best batsman to it in a crucial match hurts the most. Pakistan lost Babar Azam to a needless run-out for nine. Pakistan were reduced to 58-3 and India had the momentum.

    Then in the field, Imam-ul-Haq dropped a sitter at cover of Rohit Sharma when the batsman was on 14, off the bowling of Shaheen Afridi. The batsman was again dropped on 81 by Fakhar Zaman at mid-wicket off Shadab Khan. Pakistan dropped five catches in the previous match against Afghanistan. You don’t win matches like this.

    Crowd boos – Pakistan’s performance was so poor, by the end of India’s innings the frustration started to show. When Fakhar dropped Rohit at mid-wicket, the crowd lost it and there were loud boos across the ground. The absence of any sort of fight irked Pakistan fans most and it didn’t make for good viewing.

    KEY MOMENTS

    PAKISTAN’S INNINGS

    7.6 overs Chahal’s review – Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal hit opener Imam on the pads and was among the few confident about the appeal. A review found the batsman in line and the ball hitting the stumps.

    15.5 overs Azam’s run out – Azam is Pakistan’s most proficient batsman and he needed to stay in the middle. But a terrible mix-up with captain Sarfraz Ahmed saw the batsman run out at the non-striker’s end.

    43.4 overs Malik’s dismissal – Shoaib Malik looked well set on 78 with the score just over 200 in the 44th over. If he had remained until the end, Pakistan would have scored well over 250 and maybe close to 275. However, he got out to Jasprit Bumrah and that took the momentum away from the men in green as India gave away just 26 runs in the last five overs.

    INDIA’S INNINGS

    Rohit and Shikhar

    Rohit and Shikhar

    5.4 overs Imam drops Rohit – Shaheen forced Rohit to push and the ball went at a nice height to Imam at cover. But the opening batsman made a mess of it as the India captain and opener made Sarfraz’s team pay heavily.

    23.6 overs Dhawan hits Amir for a six – Cricket is a lot about making statements and Dhawan made a massive one against Pakistan left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir. The left-arm quick was under pressure to justify his selection. Not only did he fail to pick up a wicket in the fifth straight ODI, the way Dhawan launched a short ball over square leg for a six showed Amir has definitely lost his edge.

    33rd over of milestones – Shaheen bowled the over in which Dhawan reached his century through an exquisite cover drive before following it up with a six. Also, Rohit brought up 7,000 ODI runs.

    KEY TURNING POINT

    Selection of Amir

    The Pakistan pacer was picked ahead of fellow left-arm quick Usman Khan even though Usman has looked far better. But Amir was given the go-ahead and he yet again failed to pick up wickets. It looks like Amir needs to take a break from cricket, recharge his batteries and come back stronger, something that Lasith Malinga did very well.

    VERDICT

    India A+

    One of the most dominating performances by the Indian team in recent times. They did not put a foot wrong, held their chances and picked up regular wickets before blowing Pakistan’s famed bowling to bits on a wicket that did have something in it for the bowlers. If this were a boxing match, the referee would have called off the match a lot earlier.

    Pakistan D

    A shambolic performance from Pakistan in every department. A run-out, dropped catches, indifferent batting and listless bowling from most bowlers. It is difficult to see Pakistan performing any worse. The only way for them from here is up. But the fact is they are at the lowest of lows.

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