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India delivered a commanding performance against Pakistan in the Dubai Asia Cup, driven by a stellar 210-run opening partnership from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. This result, alongside Bangladesh's win over Afghanistan, ensured India's place in the final this Friday. India chased down Pakistan's total of 237 for 7 with effortless precision, losing just one wicket and wrapping up the match in 39.3 overs. Rohit Sharma's 19th ODI century anchored the innings, creating a record-breaking opening stand against Pakistan and the fourth-largest first-wicket partnership ever seen in ODI history. This victory is now India's most emphatic win over Pakistan in terms of wickets, beating their previous best from Melbourne in 1985. For Pakistan, Shoaib Malik was the standout with 78 runs from 90 balls, partnering with captain Sarfraz Ahmed (44) for 107 runs in the fourth wicket. In a separate high-stakes encounter in Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh knocked Afghanistan out of the final in a nail-biting finish. Chasing 249, Afghanistan needed eight runs in the last over with four wickets left, but Mustafizur Rahman ended the game by catching and bowling Rashid Khan on the second ball, leaving them three runs short. Looking ahead, Pakistan and Bangladesh will clash on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi for a ticket to the final against India, while India is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Dubai on Tuesday for their final Super Four match.
This win along with Bangladesh’s win over Afghanistan, booked a place for them to play for the final on Friday.
After restricting Pakistan for 237 for 7 India chased the target losing just one wicket and won in 39.3 overs.
By beating their bitter rivals the pair also top scored with eight wickets to spare that is being played inn Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Rohit knocked his 19th on-day hundreds, and his partnership with Dhawan was India’s highest one-day international was the top opening stand against Pakistan. With it being the fourth highest first-wicket stand in anyone one in the ODI format of the game.
It’s also the biggest win against Pakistan in terms of wickets in ODIs, thus improving on their eight wicket win against Pakistan in Melbourne in 1985.
Shooaib Malik made 78 off 90 balls, thus adding 107 runs to the board for the fourth wicket stand with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed (44) who had won the toss.
Bangladesh ended Afghanistan’s chances of reaching the final in the Super Four game in Abu Dhabi in a final-over thriller.
Needing 249 to win and wanting eight in the final over with four wickets remaining, Rashid Khan was caught and bowled by Mustafizur Rahman in the second ball of the over ending their game by falling short by three runs.
Pakistan would now take on Bangladesh on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, with the winner gaining a birth in the final against India.
India too need to face Afghanistan in Dubai in the final Super Four game on Tuesday.