In the third match of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours stage, India defeated Pakistan by a massive 228 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam won the toss and asked the Indian team to bat first. The Men in Blue got off to a flying start as both openers, Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58), created havoc in the powerplay and beyond. Both batters added 121 runs for the first wicket partnership. While the skipper hit four sixes and six fours, Gill from the other end struck 10 fours. Both batters lost their wickets in quick succession, which brought Virat Kohli (122*) and KL Rahul (111*) to the crease. Both batters showcased masterclasses with the willow and scored magnificent centuries. In the unbeaten 223-run partnership between the two batters, Kohli hit nine fours and three sixes, and Rahul smashed two sixes and 12 fours. Such sublime performances from Indian batters took the score to 356/2.
In the chase, the Pakistani side got bundled for 128 runs in just 32 overs. Fakhar Zaman (27), Agha Salman (23) and Iftikhar Ahmed (23) were the only batters to get a few runs under their belt. The team looked completely different than what we saw in the group stage and against Bangladesh in the Super Fours stage.
While defending, Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the evening as he plucked a fifer in just eight overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur also got one wicket each.
Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan were the bowlers to bag wickets for the Pakistani side. Both bowlers acquired one wicket each.
Virat Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding batting performance. Following this win, India have secured two points in the Super Fours stage and are now at the top of the table.
Scorecard:
India: 356/2, Overs 50, Virat Kohli 122*, Shadab Khan 1/71
Pakistan: 128/10, Overs 32, Fakhar Zaman 27, Kuldeep Yadav 5/25