IND VS PAK: Pandya heroics as India won the thriller

IND vs PAK

           India won their first match of Asia Cup against arch rivals Pakistan. It was a close game in which, Pandya's all round performance led India to a last over victory.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and as expected, opted for field. Bhuvneshvar Kumar sent Babar Azam to the pavilion on low score and India begun well. Avesh Khan took another wicket in the powerplay and Fakhar Zaman also departed on 10. Iftikhar Ahmed played impressive knock of 28 and made a crucial stand with Rizwan, who scored 43 in 42 deliveries. In the end, a couple of big hits by Shahnawaz Dahani helped Pakistan to reach at competitive total of 147. Bhuvneshvar Kumar took 4 wickets for 26 runs and registered the best bowling performance by an Indian bowler against Pakistan in T20Is, Pandya also took 3.

The target was not too big but the fallen wicket of Rahul in the first over and the stunning bowling of the debutant, Naseem Shah made it really challenging. Fakhar Zaman dropped a tough catch of Kohli, which later proved to be costly for Pakistan. Kohli made crucial 35 and set the platform for other batters to fire up in death overs. Jadeja also stayed with Kohli and scored 35 in 29. Pandya performed with the bat after taking three wickets in bowling and finished the game brilliantly. He made 33 in just 17 balls and also won man of the match award.