India overcame a fiery opening spell from Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir to pummel their bitter rivals by five wickets in a key Asia Cup Twenty20 match in Dhaka on Saturday.
Defending a low score of 83 runs, Amir generated sheer pace and swing with pinpoint accuracy on a helpful track at the Sher-e-Banga National Stadium to leave India rattled at 8-3 inside three overs.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane both went for a duck, while Suresh Raina hoisted a catch to Wahab Riaz at mid-off after making just 1.
Photo: AP
Virat Kohli struck Amir, who bowled four consecutive overs to finish with three for 18, for two fours in his final over to restore some confidence. Kohli then hit Mohammad Irfan for another four in the next over, before giving Riaz the same treatment twice in the space of three balls to put India firmly in control.
India finally reached 85-5 to complete the victory with 27 balls to spare, with man-of-the-match Kohli making 49, the top score, off 51 balls with seven fours.
Mohammad Sami trapped Kohli leg before wicket to deny him his fourth half-century in five Twenty20 internationals. The pacer then removed Hardik Pandya for a duck, but the effort was too little, too late.
Yuvraj Singh survived a barrage of short balls to give Kohli invaluable support in their match-winning 68-run fourth-wicket partnership. The experienced campaigner remained 14 not out after facing 32 balls.
Kohli hailed Amir for his brilliant efforts.
“I would like to congratulate Mohammad Amir for the way he bowled,” Kohli said. “I actually congratulated him while he was bowling. It was amazing to play such a spell.”
Pakistan would have had to create a new record if they were to defend their score, as the lowest total successfully defended in a Twenty20 international is 96.
Earlier, India’s medium pacers came up with some tight and aggressive bowling as they made regular breakthroughs to put their side in the driving seat.
Pandya returned with a career best three for eight, but Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra, who claimed one wicket apiece giving away eight and 20 runs respectively, were equally impressive.
Two run-outs also hurt Pakistan, who were reduced to 45-6 before they put up some resistance through wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed. He made 25 runs, the team’s best, while Khurram Manzoor (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled Sarfraz as he finished with two for 11. Pandya took two wickets in his final over as Pakistan put up their lowest score against India in the seven Twenty20 internationals. Their previous lowest total against their archrivals was 128.
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