Twitter Reactions: India brush aside sloppy Pakistan to top points table

The most awaited clash of the 2018 Asia Cup between India and Pakistan in Dubai turned out to be a one-sided affair as Rohit Sharma’s men thumped their arch-rivals by eight wickets. Moreover, they also topped the points table with consecutive wins. At no point in time, the Men in Green looked comfortable and India kept drilling one nail after the other in their coffin.

Pakistan huff and puff

After Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bat first, things didn’t pan out well for the Men in Green for the reason that Bhuvneshwar Kumar nipped their openers- Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq in pretty quick succession. However, Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik buckled down and put together 82 runs for the third wicket to bail their team out of a precarious position.

Kuldeep Yadav foxed Babar to break the ominous-looking stand. Sarfraz Ahmed tried to take on part-timer Kedar Jadhav only to hole out to Manish Pandey at long-on. Thereafter Shoaib Malik succumbed to a horrendous run-out. Asif Ali and Shadab Khan perished in no time. It was the 37-run stand between Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Amir that lifted Pakistan to 162 runs in 43.1 overs.

Rohit blazes away

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan didn’t blaze away at the start of their run chase. Nevertheless, Rohit stepped on the gas and deposited the bowlers to all corners of the ground once the right-hander got his eye in. The opening stand cobbled together 86 runs from 13.1 overs following which leg-break bowler Shadab Khan foxed Rohit with a wrong’un that shattered the timber.

Dhawan accelerated as well, however, Faheem dismissed him for 46 runs when the batter went for a cut.  The onus was then on Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik to score the remaining 59 runs and they had 201 balls to accomplish the same. In the end, both picked up singles along with the odd boundary here and there to help India reach the target with 126 balls to spare.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Rohit Sharma's 36-ball fifty today:

– 2nd fastest by any player vs PAK in Asia Cup.
– Most fifty-plus scores vs PAK in Asia Cup (4 50s in 6 inns).
– Fastest by an Indian captain in Asia Cup.
– His fastest fifty in ODI cricket.#INDvPAK

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) September 19, 2018

Thumping victory by team India 👏👏 #IndVsPak

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 19, 2018

That was too easy for India. Will take a lot of confidence from this win.
Kedar Jadhav’s spell was the turning point #IndiavsPakistan

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 19, 2018

Congratulations India on a very comprehensive victory. Wonderful team effort and great contributions from everyone #INDvPAK

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 19, 2018

The bowlers stood up when it mattered the most. @jaspritbumrah93 & @bhuviofficial bolwed an excellent opening spell and the the three spinners maintained the pressure right through the innings. @jadhavkedar was just superb with his variety of deliveries.#INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/3XYVfB76o2

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) September 19, 2018

Congratulations India! 👏🏻👏🏻Overall a great team effort by bowlers and batsmen.. well played! 💪🏻 #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 19, 2018

Rohit has already played three shots I will remember for a long time. Back foot cut and front foot cover drive off Amir and that pull shot, that one, off Usman.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 19, 2018

Doesn’t appear it’s same Indn side which was huffing/puffing to beat H’Kong yesterday..but now steamrolling Pakistan into submission really..no contest n Indo/Pak clash is most disappointing..!No doubt 2 Asian giants shall battle again in this Cup..InshaAllah..!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) September 19, 2018

Well played bro @ImRo45 @circleofcricket @ESPNcricinfo

— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) September 19, 2018

Not many hit it as clean as Rohit…making Pakistan bowling look ordinary. That’s what Rohit does when he’s on song…. #IndvPak #AsiaCup @StarSportsIndia

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 19, 2018

I certainly missed watching @ImRo45 in the nets for @mipaltan this last IPL – playing shots like that last cover drive #throwdowns #genius

— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) September 19, 2018

Pak’s batting challenge was how well they would play Indian Spin …and…..oops!!!!

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 19, 2018

Great atmosphere when it is #IndvsPak anywhere in the world. Wishing the Indian team all the best in this chase of 163 pic.twitter.com/8yHKjxMlvp

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 19, 2018

Magnificent from the Indian bowlers but the game is far from over. Bowling is Pakistan's stronger suite n they'll run in hard. Hope the top order does it for India, don't think Hardik will bat either. #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) September 19, 2018

Sad too see @hardikpandya7 ‘s injury ! Don’t see that often on the ground ! Hope he recovers soon 🙏

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 19, 2018

Superb blowing by the Indian bowlers to restrict Pak to 162. They really have come back strongly in this game after slight hiccups last evening. #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2018

— R P Singh (@rpsingh) September 19, 2018

Great start by Indian side, must to applaud is the way they bowled. Outstanding given the warm conditions on a batting wicket. Hoping for a thrilling encounter, that our side also bowls exceptionally well – Big responsibility for the Pakistani pacers on their shoulders. #PakVInd

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) September 19, 2018

While the war like situation is all pervasive in both the countries, tender moments like this on the pitch lifts the game of cricket into a gentleman’s game #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Q8W0L5MZWH

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) September 19, 2018

So true…in an age of hashtag nationalism; this right here, is Grace #INDvPAK https://t.co/IGKjzGAtPn

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 19, 2018

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