This was a painful one for Indian fans; 'boom boom Shahid Afridi's pyrotechnics aren't easy to forget. It was the sixth game of the tournament and the Mirpur crowd was treated to a nail-biter as the men in green got better of the men in blue.
Half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayadu and Ravindra Jadeja took India to a respectable total of 245 after Virat Kohli, leading India in the absence of MS Dhoni, had departed for just five. Saeed Ajmal had picked up three wickets on a spin-friendly track.
In reply, Pakistan openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad started out strong and put up a 71-run stand. Indian spinners replied in kind and Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra sent them packing. Mohammad Hafeez's 75 off 117 stabilized Pakistan's innings before he succumbed to Ashwin. In came Shahid Afridi letting loose his familiar fireworks. He hit three sixes and two fours on his way to a 18-ball 34, taking Pakistan beyond the finishing line with just two balls to spare.
Sport becomes incidental whenever India and Pakistan meet to play a game of cricket. With the weight of history behind them, each encounter between the two neighboring nation’s sprouts a bagful of narratives, one more riveting than the other. The on-field competitiveness becomes an extension of the rivalry off it. Asia Cup, the only tournament in recent past— apart from World Cups and World T20s — to pit these arch-rivals against each other thus assumes added significance.
As the two nations who have fought three wars between them, lock horns in the T20 event in Mirpur on Saturday, here's a look at their Asia Cup duels over the years, albeit in 50-over formats. The fiery neighbors do not have much history in T20s (they have played six T20Is out of which India have lost one, tied one and won four including the historic 2007 ICC World T20 final).
Their Asia Cup ODI contests, though, have gone down as classics. From magnificent centuries to vicious bowling spells, many players have scripted heroic performances. We have chosen some Asia Cup clashes to refresh your memory as you wait for Saturday's big encounter.
Their Asia Cup ODI contests, though, have gone down as classics. From magnificent centuries to vicious bowling spells, many players have scripted heroic performances. We have chosen some Asia Cup clashes to refresh your memory as you wait for Saturday's big encounter.
Half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayadu and Ravindra Jadeja took India to a respectable total of 245 after Virat Kohli, leading India in the absence of MS Dhoni, had departed for just five. Saeed Ajmal had picked up three wickets on a spin-friendly track.
In reply, Pakistan openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad started out strong and put up a 71-run stand. Indian spinners replied in kind and Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra sent them packing. Mohammad Hafeez's 75 off 117 stabilized Pakistan's innings before he succumbed to Ashwin. In came Shahid Afridi letting loose his familiar fireworks. He hit three sixes and two fours on his way to a 18-ball 34, taking Pakistan beyond the finishing line with just two balls to spare.
Sport becomes incidental whenever India and Pakistan meet to play a game of cricket. With the weight of history behind them, each encounter between the two neighboring nation’s sprouts a bagful of narratives, one more riveting than the other. The on-field competitiveness becomes an extension of the rivalry off it. Asia Cup, the only tournament in recent past— apart from World Cups and World T20s — to pit these arch-rivals against each other thus assumes added significance.
As the two nations who have fought three wars between them, lock horns in the T20 event in Mirpur on Saturday, here's a look at their Asia Cup duels over the years, albeit in 50-over formats. The fiery neighbors do not have much history in T20s (they have played six T20Is out of which India have lost one, tied one and won four including the historic 2007 ICC World T20 final).
Their Asia Cup ODI contests, though, have gone down as classics. From magnificent centuries to vicious bowling spells, many players have scripted heroic performances. We have chosen some Asia Cup clashes to refresh your memory as you wait for Saturday's big encounter.
Their Asia Cup ODI contests, though, have gone down as classics. From magnificent centuries to vicious bowling spells, many players have scripted heroic performances. We have chosen some Asia Cup clashes to refresh your memory as you wait for Saturday's big encounter.
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