Highlights, India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018 at Dubai, Full cricket score: Rohit Sharma and Co register thumping eight-wicket win

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the man of the match. 

Bhuvneshwar: It was a great bowling effort. In absence of Hardik, Kedar did well too. I was trying not to give too many runs to batsmen, that’s the best way to get them out. On these flat tracks and heat, it is not easy for the bowlers and that’s why Hardik got injured.

Rohit Sharma, India captain: Right from the start we were quite disciplined. We wanted to learn from the mistake which we made in the last game. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy in these conditions, but we left the conditions aside. Lot of improvements from the last game. They’ve got some quality in their side as well. We wanted to make sure we don’t make it easy for them. Spinners took on from there. (On Jadhav) He has been working on his bowling, and he takes his bowling seriously. His overs in the middle are very crucial. After Hardik got injured, it was important for him to put the team on the right track. Got out to a great delivery. First two games, we know exactly what we need to do as a batting unit. Opening partnership sets the platform for the rest. Fantastic finish by Dinesh and Rayudu.

Well done India. That was a clinical performance following that average outing against Hong Kong last night. The script of this victory was written by the bowlers by bowling out Pakistan for just 162 in the first half. Rest were just formalities. 

On Friday, India will be playing Bangladesh here. Let’s hope we will get to see a competitive match.

India successfully chased down a target of 163 against Pakistan today at Dubai in 29.0 overs – the earliest any team has chased down a target of 150-plus against Pakistan in ODIs played in U.A.E..

This is Pakistan’s first defeat in ODIs in U.A.E. since their defeat against England at Dubai in 2015. They won nine consecutive ODIs played in U.A.E. in between.

“We didn’t get a good start at all. We got a start in the middle, but lost our way once again in the middle. It was poor batting, and we mostly suffered soft dismissals, except for Babar Azam. We’ll try to avoid such mistakes in the next game, and put up a better performance. This will serve as a wake-up call for us,” says losing captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

After 29 overs,India 164/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 31 , Dinesh Karthik 31)

Malik bowls what turns out to be the final over of the match. Karthik and Rayudu both get a boundary each, as India collect 10 off the over to complete a clinical eight-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan! Both batsmen remain unbeaten on 31, with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 60.

FOUR! Rayudu finishes off in style with a pull towards the square-leg fence! India post a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Pakistan to finish on top of Group A! IND 164/2

FOUR! Karthik sweeps away towards the backward square-leg fence! India just a hit to the fence away from a win now! IND 159/2

After 28 overs,India 154/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 26 , Dinesh Karthik 26)

Rayudu shuffles forward, and goes for an inside-out loft to guide the ball towards the wide long off fence for a boundary. Retains the strike with a single off the last ball. Just nine left for India to win now.

FOUR! Rayudu dances down the track, and lofts the inside-out towards the wide long off fence to collect his second boundary! IND 153/2

10 more to win for India!

After 27 overs,India 149/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 21 , Dinesh Karthik 26)

Shoaib Malik introduced into the attack in the 27th over. Single collected off each delivery of the over, barring the fourth delivery, in which Karthik gets down on one knee and sweeps the ball past short-fine to collect his first four. Nine off the over. India need 14 to win.

FOUR! A boundary for India after 35 deliveries! Loopy delivery from Malik, and Karthik gets down on one knee to sweep it past short fine. IND 147/2

Shoaib Malik brought into the attack in the 27th over.

After 26 overs,India 140/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 18 , Dinesh Karthik 20)

Karthik cuts the ball towards backward point off the penultimate ball, coming back for a second run. Three off the over.

After 25 overs,India 137/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 17 , Dinesh Karthik 18)

DK dabs the ball towards cover for a quick single off the first ball. Two singles off the over. Partnership between Karthik and Rayudu worth 33 for the third wicket.

Sri Lanka successfully chased down a target of 179 against Pakistan in 1995 at Sharjah in 30.5 overs – the earliest any team has chased down a target of 150-plus against Pakistan in ODIs played in U.A.E..

Can India break the record?

After 24 overs,India 135/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 16 , Dinesh Karthik 17)

The ball travels dangerously close to Karthik’s outer edge as well as the off stump off the second delivery. Three singles off Zaman’s fourth over.

After 23 overs,India 132/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 15 , Dinesh Karthik 15)

Amir returns to the attack in the 23th over. Dots off the first three deliveries. Overthrows conceded off the fourth ball, as an ambitious throw towards the striker’s end allows Rayudu to set off for a single. Karthik goes for an aerial drive next ball to collect a single. Two off the over.

Just formalities left in this match but, both Rayudu and Karthik should look to stay unbeaten. Remember, in this tournament both of them are also auditioning for a spot in the middle-order of a full-strength Indian team. So, they have to fully utilise this opportunity to get as many runs as possible under their belt.

Mohammad Amir returns to the attack. Pakistan will hope for a miracle from their star pacer at a stage where the Indians are running away with the game.

After 22 overs,India 130/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 14 , Dinesh Karthik 14)

Zaman concedes just a single off his third over, with Rayudu setting off for the non-striker’s end off the penultimate ball of the over.

After 21 overs,India 129/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 13 , Dinesh Karthik 14)

Singles collected off each of the first three balls. Rayudu then guides the ball towards the fence behind square on the off side to collect his first boundary. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Punched away towards the backward point fence for four by Rayudu! IND 128/2

After 20 overs,India 121/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 7 , Dinesh Karthik 12)

Zaman continues from the other end. Three singles collected off the over. Karthik and Rayudu in no hurry at the moment to get quick runs on the board. They have 30 overs to collect the remaining 42 runs after all.

After 19 overs,India 118/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 6 , Dinesh Karthik 10)

Quiet over from Faheem, with four runs coming off it, as Rayudu and Karthik choose to rotate the strike between themselves.

After 18 overs,India 114/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 5 , Dinesh Karthik 8)

Fakhar Zaman continues to bowl from the other end. Karthik slogs a half-tracker over the midwicket fence for a six off the second delivery. Eight off the over.

SIX! That should boost DK’s confidence! Half-tracker from Zaman, and Karthik smacks this over the midwicket boundary! IND 113/2

Excellent dinner table analysis by Sunil Gavaskar. Why modern-day batsmen tend to struggle against wrist-spin? He says, because they try and play them of the pitch not from the hand. Hence, they are not getting that extra second.

After 17 overs,India 106/2 ( Ambati Rayudu 4 , Dinesh Karthik 1)

Ashraf returns to the attack in the 17th over, and starts off with a full delivery that’s dispatched towards fine-leg by Dhawan. The all-rounder though, succeeds in getting the second wicket two balls later as Dhawan holes out to backward point. Two new Indian batsmen at the crease right now, and Pakistan will feel they have the opportunity to turn things around. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! The second Indian opener walks back, as Dhawan slashes a back-of-length delivery from Ashraf straight into the hands of the fielder at backward point! The southpaw falls short of a fifty by just four runs. IND 104/2

Dhawan c Azam b Ashraf 46(54)

FOUR! Yorker-length delivery from Ashraf, and Dhawan flicks this one towards the fine-leg fence. IND 104/1

Faheem Ashraf returns to the attack in the 17th over.

After 16 overs,India 100/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 42 , Ambati Rayudu 3)

Shadab walks off the field after bowling three deliveries, complaining of some kind of discomfort. Zaman bowls the remaining three deliveries. Two off the over, and India breach the 100-run mark.

Shadab bowls three deliveries in the 16th over, before appearing to complain of some discomfort, and leave the field not long after. Zaman to bowl the remaining deliveries.

After 15 overs,India 98/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 41 , Ambati Rayudu 2)

Dhawan slashes a back-of-length delivery from Hasan towards the fence behind square on the off side, collecting his fifth boundary. He will expected to anchor the chase from hereon. Six off the over.

FOUR! Dhawan slashes the ball past the backward point fielder, with third man failing to get to the ball in time. IND 96/1

After 14 overs,India 92/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 36 , Ambati Rayudu 1)

Shadab makes an impact rightaway after getting introduced, deceiving Rohit with a googly to hit his leg stump. Dhawan, though, gets a boundary three balls later, helped by a misfield at extra-cover. Six runs and a wicket off the over. Meanwhile, Ambati Rayudu walks out to bat.

FOUR! Boundary for Dhawan, as he drives the ball towards extra-cover, where a misfield allows the ball to run away to the fence. IND 91/1

Ambati Rayudu walks out to bat after Rohit’s dismissal.

Drinks have been brought out to the field after Rohit’s dismissal.

OUT! What a start for young Shadab, as he foxes Rohit with a googly! This one beats the Indian skipper’s defence, and clips his leg stump! IND 86/1

Rohit b Shadab 52(39)

Shadab Khan introduced into the attack in the 14th over.

After 13 overs,India 86/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 52 , Shikhar Dhawan 31)

Rohit picks the short ball from Hasan, pulling it over the fine-leg fence for his third six. Singles off the next two balls, before Rohit lofts the ball over mid off to bring up his 35th ODI fifty with a boundary! 13 off the over.

FOUR! Rohit Sharma brings up his half-century in style, lofting the ball over mid off to get to the milestone! Has been an outstanding knock from the captain so far! Rohit’s 35th fifty in ODIs. IND 85/0

SIX! Rohit brings the pull shot out again! Pakistan’s ploy of bowling short to the Indian skipper isn’t quite working at the moment. IND 79/0

After 12 overs,India 73/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 40 , Shikhar Dhawan 30)

Faheem starts his second over with a front-foot no-ball. Dhawan though, is cut off at mid off in the free-hit. The southpaw collects a boundary off the penultimate ball, flicking a full delivery towards the midwicket fence. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Stylishly flicked away towards the midwicket fence by Dhawan off Ashraf! IND 73/0

After 11 overs,India 66/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 39 , Shikhar Dhawan 25)

Misfield at extra-cover allows Rohit to set off for a single. Dhawan hooks a short ball towards deep backward square, where the ball sails over a fielder and lands beyond the rope. Dhawan guides the ball towards third man for a single off the fifth ball. Eight off the over.

SIX! Short ball from Hasan, and Dhawan times his hook shot well to send the ball flying over the fielder at deep backward square! IND 65/0

Unfortunate that was. Hopefully, Pandya will be back on the field. 

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

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 19, 2018

After 10 overs,India 58/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 38 , Shikhar Dhawan 18)

Faheem replaces Usman in the attack. Rohit guides the ball down to third man for a single off the first ball. Superb effort by Babar at extra-cover to deny Dhawan a potential boundary off the third ball. Dhawan though, punishes a full delivery outside off with a square drive next ball. Six off the over. India cruising at the end of 10 overs.

FOUR! Full and outside off from Faheem, and Dhawan brings out the square drive! IND 57/0

Change from both ends. Faheem introduced in place of Usman.

After 9 overs,India 52/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Shikhar Dhawan 14)

Hasan’s introduced into the attack in the ninth over, replacing Amir. Rohit effortlessly executes a short-arm pull off the fourth delivery to bring up the 50-stand with Dhawan. Six off the over.

FOUR! Effortless from Rohit! Pulls it towards the midwicket fence to bring up the 50-opening stand with Dhawan! IND 51/0

Rohit Sharma in international cricket at the moment:

Matches – 294
Sixes – 294

Change of ball. Hasan Ali introduced in place of Mohammad Amir.

After 8 overs,India 46/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 32 , Shikhar Dhawan 13)

Usman starts off with a round-the-wicket angle to Rohit, with a fielder moving to midwicket. Rohit responds by guiding the ball towards square-leg for a single. Short ball to Rohit three deliveries later, and the Indian skipper hooks it over fine-leg for a six. Rohit guides a back-of-length ball towards fine-leg off the penultimate delivery — which turns out to be a no-ball — before smashing the ball into the stands beyond the midwicket fence for a six in the free hit. Huge over for India as 19 runs come off it.

SIX! Monster hit by Rohit! The ball being a free-hit gave him the licence to flex his arms, and boy did Rohit respond in style by smashing the ball into the stands beyond the midwicket boundary! IND 46/0

FOUR! Back-of-length from Usman angling into the batsman, Rohit adjusts well to the bounce and tucks it past short-fine for a four. What’s worse, it’s a front-foot no-ball; IND 40/0

SIX! First big hit of the innings! Usman digs this one in short to Rohit, with the latter using the pace of the ball to hook it over fine-leg. IND 35/0

After 7 overs,India 27/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 15 , Shikhar Dhawan 12)

Dhawan pushes hard for a single off the first delivery, with the ball travelling dangerously close to the non-striker’s stumps off a throw from Malik. Rohit’s at his elegant best as he collects back-to-back boundaries, before retaining the strike with a single off the last ball. 10 off the over.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from Rohit, the second one a lot more effortless! A simple push results in the ball scurring away to the cover boundary! IND 26/0

FOUR! Slashed away behind square by Rohit! The ball travels like a — pardon my choice of words — TRACER BULLET! Beats the fielder at third man! IND 22/0

After 6 overs,India 17/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 6 , Shikhar Dhawan 11)

Leading edge off Rohit’s bat off the third ball, but lands in the vacant gully region, allowing the skipper a single. Dhawan collects an easy single off the fifth ball. Two off the over.

Not enough movement for Amir, but Usman from the other end has managed to trouble the batsmen couple of times. Feel both the pacers should pitch the ball up and invite the drives. In hindsight, both Rohit and Dhawan have handled the initial burst of this Pakistani attack quite brilliantly so far.

Mohammad Amir’s in ODIs in 2018:

Matches – 9
Wickets – 3
Ave. – 82.33
SR – 123.6

After 5 overs,India 15/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 10)

Faint appeal for lbw against Dhawan by Amir, although the ball hit the batsman well above the knee roll. Maiden over for Amir, as the southpaw chooses to remain defensive.

After 4 overs,India 15/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 10)

Tight over from Usman, with Dhawan collecting a single off the last ball to prevent the over from going as a maiden.

After 3 overs,India 14/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 9)

Dhawan collects his first boundary courtesy a textbook cover drive off the third delivery, before pushing the ball towards midwicket to come back for a third. Seven off the over.

Rohit Sharma’s dismissals against left-arm pacers since 2017 in ODIs:

Mohammad Amir, The Oval, 2017
Vishwa Fernando, Colombo, 2017
Trent Boult, Mumbai, 2017
David Willey, Leeds, 2018

FOUR! Cracking cover drive by Dhawan off Amir! Leans into a full delivery from Amir, and threads the gap between cover and extra-cover! IND 14/0

After 2 overs,India 7/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 5 , Shikhar Dhawan 2)

Left-arm pace from both ends, as Usman Khan bowls the second over. Rohit gets an inside-edge off the second delivery, with the ball running away to the fine-leg fence for a four. Five off the over.

FOUR! Inside-edge off Rohit’s bat, and this one runs away to the fine-leg fence! IND 7/0

Usman Khan bowls from the other end.

Batting average v Pakistan in ODIs:

Shikhar Dhawan – 44.20 
Rohit Sharma – 34.83

India should get the job done with plenty of overs to spare. But cricket is a game of unpredictability, as we witnessed last night. The battle between Amir and Rohit will be interesting to watch.

After 1 overs,India 2/0 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 1 , Shikhar Dhawan 1)

Amir bowls the first over of the innings. Both Rohit and Dhawan off the mark with a single. Two off the first over.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to open the Indian innings. Mohammad Amir bowls the first over. Let’s see how the Indian chase turns out.

This is the first time that Pakistan have been bowled out under 200 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in ODIs.

Pakistan bowled out for 162. This was a bad, bad performance from them. The bowlers will have to do the tough job of restricting Indian side below this target. 

We will be back with the chase in 30 mins.

Phil Simmons, the Afghanistan coach is here, watching the proceedings closely. Perhaps he is making his plans for these two teams already. Also, before the Super 4 matches, there is a chance that Kevin Pietersen may visit the team hotel of Afghanistan to give them a pep talk.

OUT! Bumrah has cleaned up Usman Khan with a perfect yorker. Pakistan all-out for just 162. Usman Khan b Bumrah 0(1)

After 43 overs,Pakistan 162/9 ( Mohammad Amir 18 , Usman Khan 0)

Pakistan have continued to play their shots today despite knowing the slow nature of the pitch. Some silly shots from the batsman. Has not worked for them at all.

OUT! Rubbish shot from Hasan Ali, tries to clear mid-on, but could not connect it well, it was an off-cutter from Bhuvi, Dinesh Karthik makes his presence felt as he takes the catch. Hasan Ali c Karthik b Bhuvneshwar 1(3)

Bhuvneshwar continues.

After 42 overs,Pakistan 160/8 ( Mohammad Amir 16 , Hasan Ali 1)

Bumrah comes into the attack and delivers straightaway. He has mixed it up well with his slower ones and yorkers. India should aim to finish this off quickly.

Hasan Ali, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Faheem has perished trying to up the run-scoring, hits one into the air, Dhawan at deep mid-wicket catches it safely and celebrates it in his typical style. Faheem Ashraf c Dhawan b Bumrah 21(44)

Bumrah back too.

After 41 overs,Pakistan 158/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 22 , Mohammad Amir 15)

Bhuvneshwar back into the attack. Bowling according to the field. Just 1 from the over. He should bowl all his remaining overs on the trot.

Remember Sam Curran and what he had done against India while batting with the tail? Rohit Sharma has to be careful here. They should not let this Pakistan tail get these runs towards the end. Feel Rohit should attack more, especially when someone like Kuldeep is bowling. He has to give him a slip.

Bhuvneshwar continues.

After 40 overs,Pakistan 157/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 21 , Mohammad Amir 15)

Kuldeep continues. Faheem and Amir going strong for Pakistan at the moment. India have let this partnership grow. Need to get a wicket now.

FOUR! Kuldeep yorked Faheem as well as Dhoni, both missed the ball and it went racing away for four leg-byes.

Kuldeep back on.

After 39 overs,Pakistan 151/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 20 , Mohammad Amir 14)

150 has come up on the board for Pakistan. Amir and Faheem have batted well for this sweet little partnership here. Yes, runs are not coming smoothly. But Pakistan should be aiming to bat all the overs here and see how much they can accumulate for their bowlers to defend.

Jadhav continues.

After 38 overs,Pakistan 148/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 18 , Mohammad Amir 13)

Chahal is still struggling for line. There was a chance in the last over but barring that the two left-handers have batted well.

FOUR! Flighted delivery and Faheem goes big over the cover, and the ball goes one bounce into the boundary.

Chahal continues.

After 37 overs,Pakistan 141/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 14 , Mohammad Amir 10)

Jadhav continues and it seems he is going to bowl his full quota. Hardik is not there to bowl and Rohit will want him to do the job. He has done more than a good job till now, however. But this partnership can frustrate India in some time.

Jadhav continues.

After 36 overs,Pakistan 138/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 13 , Mohammad Amir 8)

Chahal brought back into the attack. Bowled a no-ball, and jizz, he did not even overstep. Too harsh on Chahal, shabby display of umpiring. Chahal dropped Faheem to make matter worse in the over for himself.

DROPPED! Chahal drops a caught and bowl, as Faheem hit one hard at him and Chahal could not hold on to it on his follow through.

Chahal brought back.

After 35 overs,Pakistan 134/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 12 , Mohammad Amir 6)

Jadhav continues and India should go for the kill here. Pakistan scores but scores in the single. Four off the over.

Kedar Jadhav becomes the first Indian bowler to take three wickets in an ODI match against Pakistan coming into bowl at No.7 or lower position.

Meanwhile, the West Indian team is in Dubai, preparing for the upcoming Test series in India. They will have a practice session tomorrow at the ICC Academy ground.

Jadhav continues.

After 34 overs,Pakistan 130/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 10 , Mohammad Amir 4)

Bumrah continues. Two fours in the over, one genuine, another off the edge. Pakistan won’t mind these runs as long as these come, no matter in what way.

FOUR! Fullish, tempts batsman to drive, ball takes the edge and flies off between the keeper and wide first slip for four.

FOUR! Cover drive from Faheem, Rayudu tries well but could not stop this.

Bumrah continues.

After 33 overs,Pakistan 121/7 ( Faheem Ashraf 5 , )

Jadhav continues and he is doing a great job with the ball in hand. Picks up the third wicket in this spell. Pakistan are 7 down now and it seems 150 will be a huge target for them now.

OUT! Another lightening stumping from Dhoni, Jadhav fires another one and Shadab Khan misses it completely, Dhoni takes the bails off quickly. Shadab Khan st Dhoni b Kedar Jadhav 8(19)

Jadhav continues.

After 32 overs,Pakistan 119/6 ( Shadab Khan 7 , Faheem Ashraf 4)

Bumrah comes back and this is a good move from Rohit. But not a good review on the last ball for LBW, the ball was on the rise after pitching and was missing the stumps. India lose the only review.

Pakistan today:

First 15 overs : 57/2 
Next 15 overs : 56/4

Most times dismissed runout for Pakistan in ODIs:

40 – Inzamam-ul-Haq
38 – Mohammad Yousuf/Wasim Akram
24 – Javed Miandad/Saleem Malik/Shoaib Malik

Most times dismissed runout in Asia Cup: (Day matches only)

5 – Arjuna Ranatunga
3 – Shoaib Malik*
3 – Asanka Gurusinha
3 – Javed Omar 

Pakistani batsmen dismissed runout most times in Asia Cup:

3 – SHOAIB MALIK*
3 – Misbah ul-Haq

Alright, as expected, Bumrah back into the attack.

Interesting phase of play for India. Three quick wickets following that Pandya setback. Pakistan tottering now. have to say, India’s fielding has been really impressive today. The fielders have backed up the bowlers and that is the reason why India are in such a strong position in this match.

After 31 overs,Pakistan 117/6 ( Shadab Khan 6 , Faheem Ashraf 3)

Jadhav continues. The calling is still pretty poor between the two batsmen in the middle. They have seen one run-out and cannot afford one more. Guess India need to bring Bumrah back for a short spell and try and take the remaining wickets quickly.

Jadhav continues.

After 30 overs,Pakistan 113/6 ( Shadab Khan 3 , Faheem Ashraf 2)

Kuldeep continues. With a leg slip for right-handed Shadab. India on top after 30 overs, not giving easy runs now.

Kuldeep continues.

After 29 overs,Pakistan 110/6 ( Shadab Khan 2 , Faheem Ashraf 0)

Kedar Jadhav has two wickets in the match. And he is looking set to take more wickets. Rohit Sharma will be taking a sigh of relief as after what happened yesterday and then Hardik’s injury, Kedar has delivered. This was a maiden-wicket.

Faheem Ashraf, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Jadhav fires one in again, flatter in trajectory, was not there to cut but Asif tries to cut it, edges it into Dhoni’s gloves. Poor batting display from the Pakistanis. Asif Ali c Dhoni b Kedar Jadhav 9(10)

Jadhav continues.

After 28 overs,Pakistan 110/5 ( Asif Ali 9 , Shadab Khan 2)

Kuldeep quickly runs through his overs. Has been hit for a six but he would take it as Pakistan continue to play big shots and this will give India chances to bowl them out quickly.

SIX! This came out of nowhere from Asif, flighted delivery and he hits it over the long-on region for a maximum.

Kuldeep continues. Shadab Khan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

After 27 overs,Pakistan 100/5 ( Asif Ali 1 , Shadab Khan 0)

Jadhav is bowling those tempting deliveries for batsmen. Loopy and straight. Malik this time was not lucky, tried to take a single where it was not available. Poor judgment from Malik as the batsman had already said no.

OUT! This is superb fielding effort from India, Malik decided to run from the non-striker’s end as Asif taps the ball on the off side, before Malik could return, the throw from Rayudu hit the stumps. Shoaib Malik run out (Rayudu) 43(67)

Jadhav continues.

Update from BCCI: Hardik has an acute lower back injury. In the dressing room he is able to stand at the moment. The medical team is assessing him now. Manish Pandey in on the field as his substitute.

After 26 overs,Pakistan 97/4 ( Shoaib Malik 41 , Asif Ali 0)

Kuldeep continues. No run on the first five balls and then single off the last ball. India on top here.

Kuldeep continues.

After 25 overs,Pakistan 96/4 ( Shoaib Malik 40 , Asif Ali 0)

Jadhav continues and he is bowling those flat-trajectory deliveries to Sarfraz. Frustrated him and then tossed it up to ask him to hit, Sarfraz fell in the trap and then a brilliance from substitute Manish Pandey at long-on made the tough catch very easy.

OUT! Brilliant from Manish Pandey, Kedar flights it, Sarfraz hits it to right of long-on, where Manish Pandey came running in, takes the catch, goes outside the boundary, and tosses the ball out, comes in and takes it again. Pakistan lose two wickets in quick time. Sarfraz c (sub)Manish Pandey b Kedar Jadhav 6(12)

Kuldeep Yadav became the second fastest Indian bowler to take 50 wickets in ODIs yesterday. He achieved the feat in just 24 ODIs.

Sarfraz Ahmed ’s batting average in ODIs:

As a player : 34.83
As a captain : 31.25

Jadhav continues.

After 24 overs,Pakistan 93/3 ( Shoaib Malik 39 , Sarfraz Ahmed (C) (W) 4)

Kuldeep continues. Malik’s importance is more here now after the loss of Babar Azam. And India keep on giving him chances after chances. Kuldeep was furious after Bhuvneshwar dropped him.

DROPPED! Malik comes out and plays the big shot, trying to clear the deep mid-wicket, hits it high up in the air and Bhuvneshwar makes a blunder at the position as he over-runs and misses the catch. Second reprieve of the day for Malik.

Kuldeep continues.

After 23 overs,Pakistan 87/3 ( Shoaib Malik 35 , Sarfraz Ahmed (C) (W) 2)

Alright so, Kedar Jadhav is on now. He is a good bowler and can go through his over pretty quickly. Five dot balls in the over and then a single off the last ball. That’s exactly what he is supposed to do.

Kedar Jadhav, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

After 22 overs,Pakistan 86/3 ( Shoaib Malik 35 , Sarfraz Ahmed (C) (W) 1)

Kuldeep continues and he has provided India the much-needed breakthrough. The ball tossed-up, tempted Babar to hit it, and then it went away from after pitching. A perfect spinner’s dismissal and we could sense that seeing Kuldeep celebrate.

Sarfraz Ahmed, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Lovely bowling from Kuldeep, the chinaman bowls a perfect googly, it was well flighted and trapped Babar as he came down the wicket to hit him, missed it and the ball clipped the off-stump bail. Babar Azam b Kuldeep Yadav 47(62)

After 21 overs,Pakistan 85/2 ( Babar Azam 47 , Shoaib Malik 35)

Chahal continues. The batsmen are untroubled. India need a wicket here or it will be too late. Malik and Babar are looking a little exhausted and India should make them do more effort to score runs.

Chahal continues.

After 20 overs,Pakistan 80/2 ( Babar Azam 43 , Shoaib Malik 34)

Kuldeep back on. Important for India this spell by Kuldeep. If he fails, trouble will double up for India.

Looks like a serious back issue from here. Pandya seems to be in a lot of pain as he has been taken out of the ground. The physio is already attending him. Shastri has also rushed to him. If Pandya can not take any further part in this game, it will be a huge blow to India’s chances. Currently there is no clarity about this situation.

Kuldeep back into the attack.

After 19 overs,Pakistan 76/2 ( Babar Azam 41 , Shoaib Malik 32)

Chahal continues. Babar is into his 40s. Malik too going well. Hardik injured and looks like has been taken to hospital. Rohit Sharma has some problems ahead.

Chahal continues.

After 18 overs,Pakistan 73/2 ( Babar Azam 40 , Shoaib Malik 31)

Hardik continues. He has injured his back it seems. Although we don’t have clarity about the injury. He went back to dressing room on a stretcher and this does not look good for India at all. Hopefully, not a lot of damage is done.

The stretcher is out there and Pandya is being taken out of the ground.

Hardik Pandya is being carried out of the field on a stretcher. There seems to be something wrong with his back. This is not heartening to see at all. Pandya looks in pain and is motionless. Rayudu will complete his over.

Hardik injured!

He falls on the follow through. The back seems to be injured. He is still down and the players have circled him. The physio has arrived but Pandya is lying motionless.

FOUR! Cover drive from Azam, great shot but an extraordinary effort by Rayudu as he throws his body but the ball deflected back to the boundary on rebound.

After 17 overs,Pakistan 67/2 ( Babar Azam 35 , Shoaib Malik 30)

Chahal continues. The Pakistan batters are untroubled right now. Singles are easy to come by and they are finding the gaps comfortably as well.

Chahal continues.

Only two Pakistani players (Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar) have scored more runs against India than Shoaib Malik in ODIs. He is looking in good touch today.

DRINKS!

After 16 overs,Pakistan 60/2 ( Babar Azam 32 , Shoaib Malik 26)

Hardik continues. Malik and Babar looking in great touch now. The ball is not doing anything and the best Indian bowlers are able to do is bowl dot balls. The dropped catch can hurt.

DROPPED! MS Dhoni drops a catch, yes you heard it right, Malik tries to place it through the slips but rather angles it to the right of Dhoni, the ball was slanting down yet it was catchable. This could be a big miss.

Hardik continues.

After 15 overs,Pakistan 57/2 ( Babar Azam 30 , Shoaib Malik 25)

Just one over for Kuldeep now and he is off. Chahal is back on. He is struggling to find the right length. But has looked better in this over. Two runs from the over.

Chahal back on.

After 14 overs,Pakistan 55/2 ( Babar Azam 29 , Shoaib Malik 24)

Pandya continues. Malik and Babar have been running well together. The quick singles might tire the body in this heat but has helped them keep the score ticking. Not to forget that doing that, they have formed a fifty-run partnership in just 59 balls.

FOUR! Deft touch by Babar as he places the ball perfectly through the first slip for a boundary to third man.

Pandya continues.

After 13 overs,Pakistan 49/2 ( Babar Azam 24 , Shoaib Malik 23)

Kuldeep brought into the attack. Just one over for Chahal. Malik realises that if they attack the spinners, India will be on back foot. That six was a statement for intent for sure. Pakistan upping the run-scoring now.

SIX! Malik launches an attack on Kuldeep, comes out of the crease, hits it for a maximum over the deep mid-wicket boundary.

And the powerplay goes to India’s favour. The bowlers have given nothing away. No loose ball whatsoever. This is a perfect platform for the wrist-spinners to come in the attack. If I was Rohit, I would have bowled Kuldeep right away to use his mystery factor against these batsmen, who haven’t seen him before.

Kuldeep Yadav, left arm chinaman, into the attack.

After 12 overs,Pakistan 39/2 ( Babar Azam 22 , Shoaib Malik 15)

Hardik continues. Bowling well, sticking to the wicket-to-wicket plan in the first half of the over. Pitches it short on the fourth ball and Malik pulls it away to deep mid-wicket but Bumrah clears it in time. But he fetches a boundary on the last ball to end the over on a bad note.

FOUR! Ball drifting down the leg stump and Babar paces it perfectly between the mid-on and mid-wicket fielder. There was no stopping this boundary.

Hardik continues.

After 11 overs,Pakistan 32/2 ( Babar Azam 18 , Shoaib Malik 12)

Spin introduced by India. Chahal gets the ball in hand. Both of these batsmen are good players of spin bowling. Chahal has been bowling well but like seen in England and then yesterday, falters every now and then with half-trackers. We have seen a few in his first over today. Need to check this as soon as possible.

FOUR! Short ball, Babar rocks on back foot and punches it through the covers for a boundary. Poor stuff from Chahal.

Yuzvendra Chahal, right arm leg spin, into the attack.

After 10 overs,Pakistan 25/2 ( Babar Azam 13 , Shoaib Malik 10)

Pandya brought into the attack. From the seaming conditions in England to the flat track in Dubai, things have escalated quickly for him. To be honest, this is the perfect track for him to bowl because he needs not do anything and focus on swinging the ball. Just keep it simple and bowl wicket-to-wicket. Meanwhile, Pakistan openers are batting well, they are not looking to play rash shots and at the same time not leaving any opportunity to score, even the quick singles. 

After end of first powerplay, 25/2.

Hardik Pandya, right arm medium, comes into the attack.

After 9 overs,Pakistan 23/2 ( Babar Azam 12 , Shoaib Malik 9)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues, this is fifth over on the trot. Should be given a break for two reasons. India will require his services later on and also, they cannot let him exhaust himself so early in the game. He will be fielding as well for the 41 more overs left. Just 1 from the over.

Shoaib Malik against India in Asia Cup before today: 143, 125*, 39

Bhuvneshwar continues

After 8 overs,Pakistan 22/2 ( Babar Azam 11 , Shoaib Malik 9)

Bumrah continues. Malik and Azam are playing the opening bowlers pretty well. Just 2 off this over.

Bumrah continues.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2018 in ODIs:

Before this match: 2 wickets in 49 overs
This match: 2 wickets in 3 overs

After 7 overs,Pakistan 20/2 ( Babar Azam 10 , Shoaib Malik 8)

Bhuvneshwar continues. He is right on money on the first three balls but Babar Azam hits him for two consecutive boundaries on the next two balls to balance the equation. Bhuvi beats his bat on the last ball to edge a little ahead in this lovely battle here between the bat and ball.

FOUR! Beautiful transfer of weight by Azam as he rocks back and cuts it between the point and cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Lovely drive from Babar as he leans on to the straight drive, Bhuvneshwar tries stopping it in his follow through with his boots but the ball just went on at a great pace.