In the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023, India emerged victorious over Pakistan with a massive margin of 228 runs in a thrilling showdown at Sri Lanka’s R Premadasa Stadium on Monday. The match was defined by stellar performances, most notably Virat Kohli’s remarkable century and KL Rahul’s triumphant return.
Pakistan, tasked with chasing a daunting target of 357 runs in 50 overs, could only manage to reach 128-8 in 32 overs as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were unable to bat due to injuries.
Pakistan faced a setback early on as they lost their opener, Imam-ul-Haq, during the first powerplay. The situation worsened when their skipper, Babar Azam, was dismissed just before the rain interrupted play.
Imam managed to score nine runs from 18 deliveries, while Babar contributed 10 runs off 18 balls. At this point, Pakistan’s score was 44-2 after 11 overs.
After the rain break, Muhammad Rizwan also fell quickly, adding only two runs to the team’s total.
Fakhar Zaman was the top scorer for Pakistan, accumulating 27 runs, followed by Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman, who both scored 23 runs each. Unfortunately, no other batsman on the team managed to reach double figures.
The Indian bowlers had a strong showing, with Kuldeep Yadav taking five wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur each grabbing one wicket.
Virat Kohli’s outstanding century earned him the title of player of the match. Meanwhile, none of the Pakistani bowlers were able to take a wicket, and both Kohli and Rahul continued to score runs quickly and hit boundaries at will.
India’s batting:
India’s opening pair set the tone for the match, with Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) notching up quick fifties. The rain briefly interrupted play, leading to a long delay and the activation of the reserve day.
Upon the match’s resumption, India continued their dominance as Virat Kohli slammed his 47th ODI century, reaching a remarkable milestone of 13,000 ODI runs in just 277 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Kohli’s innings of 122 from 94 balls included 9 boundaries and 3 sixes, marking his fourth consecutive century at the venue.
KL Rahul, making a triumphant comeback from injury, showcased his class by notching up his 6th ODI ton. He remained unbeaten on 111 from 106 balls, with 12 boundaries and 2 sixes. The duo of Rahul and Kohli attacked the Pakistani bowlers with ferocity, taking calculated risks and punishing the part-timers.
In the second innings, India’s seamers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, troubled the Pakistani openers with swing and snorters. Hardik Pandya’s in-cutter dismissed Babar Azam for just 10 runs.
However, the highlight of the match was leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s sensational performance, securing a five-wicket haul with figures of 5/25. He produced significant turn from a pitch that initially seemed to favor the seamers, dismantling the Pakistani batting lineup.
Pakistan’s innings folded for a mere 128 runs in 32 overs, leaving them with a daunting defeat. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah did not come out to bat, with Rauf nursing an injury sustained during the match.
Despite the anticipation and the inclusion of a reserve day, the contest turned out to be a one-sided affair. Virat Kohli was voted the player of the match for his exceptional century.
This victory marks a perfect start for India in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, leaving their arch-rivals comprehensively defeated and showcasing their dominance in the tournament.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
