Asia Cup 2018: 10 Reasons behind India's emphatic win against Pakistan

#5. Tight spell of bowling by the Indian wrist-spin twins in the middle overs

Chahal and Kuldeep were economical and effective

When Pakistan were going great guns in the partnership between Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik, the Indian wrist-spin twins- Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav showed a lot of patience and persistence.

They were always attempting to do something different to get a wicket. Jadeja was a little bit expensive but Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav made up for that. They were also amongst the wickets.

Chahal finished with 2 for 46 in his 9 overs while Kuldeep Yadav ended up with figures of 2 for 41 off his 10 overs. The fine bowling spells by the spin twin prevented Pakistan from running away with the match.

#6. Pakistan lost wickets at the wrong time

Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik were involved in a partnership of 107 runs. Just when Pakistan were about to go for the kill, Sarfraz got out trying to play an inside-out shot off Kuldeep Yadav. That wicket fell in the 39th over of the innings with the score on 165.

Again, when Shoaib Malik was in total control of the match, he got out to a leg-side catch off Bumrah immediately after Pakistan had crossed 200. Had Malik stayed the entire duration of the innings, he would have taken the Pakistan total to 275.

Asif Ali was looking dangerous when he scored 30 off 21 balls with the help of 1 four and 2 sixes. He took a special liking to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But he too got out at the wrong time to Chahal in the 45th over itself. Another 5 overs of Asif Ali would have shifted the momentum distinctively towards Pakistan.

Losing crucial wickets at the wrong time didn’t help Pakistan in posting a challenging total.