WATCH: Hardik Pandya dismisses Babar Azam with peach of delivery in Asia Cup 2023
Hardik Pandya (Source- Twitter)
In the ongoing Asia Cup Super 4 match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, team India has set a huge target of 357 runs for Pakistan with the help of brilliant centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. India seemed to be in the driver’s seat on the reserve day against Pakistan in Colombo as their new ball bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah gave them a stellar start.
Hardik Pandya, who replaced Jasprit Bumrah from one end, built pressure on Pakistan captain Babar Azam with three successive dot balls, with the fourth one being a jaffer that came in quickly creating a gap between Babar’s bat and pad before hitting into the stump. The video of his wicket has gone viral on social media with the fans reacting to it quickly.
WHAT A BALL FROM HARDIK…!!!
He cleans up world number 1 ODI batter. pic.twitter.com/cLNfRlv3Sr
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2023
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul shine for India
Putting into bat first on Sunday, the Men in Blue openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a fiery start. They made a solid 121-run partnership. But the openers fell simultaneously. With two new batters, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli settled down quickly. India was 147/2 at the end of 24.1 overs, when rain again played a spoilsport letting the game travel for the reserve day.
On Day 2 of this match, Kohli and Rahul started off cautiously without losing their wickets. Rahul took 60 balls to reach the 50-run mark while his partner took 55 balls to reach his half-century. After Rahul reached his half-century he changed his gear and scored his other fifty in just 40 balls. He was unbeaten 111 runs off 102 balls hitting 12 fours and two sixes, along with the former India captain. Kohli also scored his 47th ODI century and became the fastest batter to score 13,000 runs in ODI cricket. He was also unbeaten at the end 122 runs off 94 balls, with 9 fours and 3 sixes.
In reply, the Indian bowlers were off to a flying start with Pakistan struggling for 44/2 at the end of 11 overs. Rain has been a constant spoilsport. For activating DLS the game must happen for 20 overs.
