Mirpur (Bangaldesh): Pakistan defeated India in a high voltage match here in Mirpur. That match went to both sides in the last 5 overs, but Afridi turned the match around in the last over with two big sixes. Indian fans are silent in the stadium. Pakistan is now in no.1 position in the points table with 9 points.
For Pakistan Mohammed Hafeez scored highest 75 runs in 117 deliveries including 3X4 and 2X6. Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, and Sohaib Maqsood gave their big contribution too with putting up good partnerships for Pakistan. At the end, Afridi stood as a wall despite regular falling of wickets. He scored 34 runs off 33 balls including 2X4 and 3X6 which lead to a thrilling win over India.
Indian bowlers also did a good job but they didn't succeeded. Ashwin took 4 wickets in 9.4 overs giving away 44 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs. Amit Mishra has his wonderful spell giving away just 28 runs and taking 2 wickets in his 10 overs. While Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja who bowled well in previous match went wicket less here.
Earlier, half centuries by opener Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and ravindra Jadeja kept India floating as it reached 245/8 at the end of its inning against Pakistan here today. Captain Virat Kohli too departed cheaply trying to steer Umar Gul through the slip but caught by wicketkeeper.
However Rohit Sharma continued to fight and reached his half century. He gave Mohammad Talah his first international wicket, giving a simple catch to Mohammad Hafeez while trying a big hit. His knock includes 7X4 and 2X6. Rayudu and Jadeja made played brilliantly under pressure to take India to a fighting score on a wicket which low and slow.
For Pakistan Saeed Ajmal took three wickets for 40 runs while Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Talha chipped in with two wickets each.
In what is being billed as a virtual Asia Cup semi-final, traditional rivals India and Pakistan today face each other in a close game, with both sides winning a match each, and losing their matches to Sri Lanka.
The two rivals faced each other for the first time since the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan is strong in the bowling department, while the Indian bowlers are yet to make a mark.
Conversely, India flaunts a strong batting lineup, while the Pakistani batsmen have been tardy so far.
India faces problems with its middle-order which is not much experienced. Moreover the team is a bit low on confidence right now for losing the vital match against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan's chief cricket consultant Zaheer Abbas thinks the pitch in Mirpur could be pacier compared to the slow pitch in Fatullah.
Teams
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Karthik, Abati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd Shami and Amit Mishra
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammed Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Md. Talah, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan.
Ravindra Jadeja, if playes, will make his 100th ODI appearance.
It was in Mirpur in March 2012, that Sachin Tendulkar made his last ODI appearance during an India-Pak match.
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