Asia Cup 2022, IND v PAK: Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up Babar Azam’s wicket with a short-pitched delivery and Arshdeep Singh took a simple catch at short fine leg.
Bhuvneshwar dismissed ‘best player’ Babar and caused panic in the PAK camp: Arthur. Courtesy: AP
HIGHLIGHTS
- Babar Azam scored 10 runs off 9 balls before getting out
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 4 wickets against Pakistan
- India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets on Sunday
Former South Africa cricketer Mickey Arthur said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar set the tone for India after getting rid of Babar Azam in the match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022. On Sunday, August 28, after Pakistan being put in to bat first, the 27-year-old Babar started his knock with two glorious fours off Bhuvneshwar and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
However, after making a promising start, Babar perished. Bhuvneshwar bowled a bouncer and Babar failed to get a proper connection. The Lahore-born Babar got a top-edge and Arshdeep took a simple catch at short fine-leg.
Arthur, also the former head coach of the Pakistan national team, reckoned that Babar’s early wicket caused panic in the Pakistan dressing room.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an outstanding bowler and he getting Babar, did set the tone. He removed the best player, and when you do that, you cause a little bit of panic in the opposition camp,” Arthur was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.
After Babar got out, Mohammad Rizwan carried on and scored 43 off 42 balls, but he failed to press the accelerator after getting his eyes in.
Pakistan went on to set India a target of 148 and the Men in Blue achieved the same with two balls left. Hardik Pandya became the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. Starting with, he picked up three crucial wickets, after which he scored 33 runs off 17 balls.
India’s next match is against Nizakat Khan’s Hong Kong on Wednesday, August 31 at the same venue in Dubai. Pakistan will also play their last and final Group A match against Hong Kong in September first week.
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