India started their Asia Cup title defense with a thrilling five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. And the star of the match was Hardik Pandya, who took three wickets and then played a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 33 runs off 17 balls. Chasing a target of 148 runs, India lost opener KL Rahul to debutant Naseem Shah the second ball. Then Rohit Sharma (12) and Virat Kohli (35) steady the innings, but Pakistan hit back with quick wickets. It was followed by a 52-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja (35) and Pandya. Earlier, Rohit won the toss and opted to bowl first. And for the first time, Indian pacers claimed all ten wickets in a T20I innings as Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Co. dismissed Pakistan for 147 all out. Bhuvi registered figures of 4/26 while Pandya got three for 25. Young pacer Arshdeep Singh got a brace. Avesh Khan took one. India next play Hong Kong in their second and final Group A match at the same venue on Wednesday. Catch IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2022 highlights.
Brief Scores
Pakistan: 147 all out in 19.5 overs (Mohammed Rizwan 43, Hardik Pandya 3/25, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/26).
India: 148 in 19.4 overs (Hardik Pandya 33 no off 17 balls, Ravindra Jadeja 35 off 29 balls).
