India’s lead in T20 Internationals over Pakistan has now increased to 11-3 after their match of the Asia Cup, which India won fairly comfortably, by 7 wickets. India was chasing a low score of 128, and after a dominant bowling and very clinical batting experience, the match was never in doubt, making for an easy match that finished 4.1 overs early while chasing that score.
Pakistan batted to a total of 127 for 9, but it was yet another case of constant pressure throughout. India took the upper hand from the first ball, where Hardik Pandya clean bowled Saim Ayub with the first legal delivery of the match. The Indian bowlers repeatedly kept Pakistan behind, which luckily led to some low-percentage shots to force Pakistan forward.
Sahibzada Farhan showed spirit with a battling 40 and became the first Pakistani batter to hit two sixes off Jasprit Bumrah in any match, longer form or otherwise. However, overall, Pakistan was unable to pile on the runs and accelerate their innings notably after the powerplay overs. Pakistan scored its first boundary 31 balls later after the first six balls of the innings.
India’s trio of spinners (Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy) dominated the middle overs by virtue of taking important wickets and giving up very few runs.
Kuldeep Yadav was the leading bowler with the figures of 3 for 18 and Bumrah and Axar Patel took 2 wickets each, while Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with 1 wicket as everyone bowled relentlessly and gave Pakistan very little chance.
Batting first, Pakistan only made 127 despite Farhan and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s efforts. Afridi did score 33* off 16 balls striking a couple of clean blows towards the end of the debut innings which gave a glimmer of hope, followed finally by an expected change in momentum, only to go back down again. India simply chased the target down with Suryakumar Yadav unbeaten on 47, whilst Abhishek Sharma 31 and Tilak Varma also 31 got them over the line
India completed the chase at 131 for 3 with stacks of overs to spare. Understanding there were a couple of moments that were tight, it was clear there was a gap between the two teams in terms of quality. Pakistan’s bowling depth was seriously below India’s and simply lacked the edge to compete and challenge, especially targeting India’s top order. Moreover, Indian batsmen continually equalled or bettered pressure runs.
This dominant performance has established a marker in this Asia Cup as India has firmly established itself early on as the best team. The next two games will be important for Pakistan if it is to find a way to back into the competition, but India looks too strong in all departments.
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