5 reasons why India defeated Pakistan in Super Four

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The fantastic foes of world cricket locked horns once again in Dubai in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, after facing each other in the league stages of the tournament. Though Pakistan made a couple of changes in their playing XI, they could not change the result as they were once again defeated by the Men in Blue in a resounding manner.

The clash was came in at a highly crucial juncture, with both the teams having won their opening encounters in the round-robin stage. A victory meant a potential spot in the all important final, albeit for Pakistan it also would be healing the wounds of Wednesday. After prevailing over Afghanistan in a highly competitive clash, they were expected to come out all guns blazing. However, the toss was the only thing that they could win as India outclassed them in all the three departments.

Let's have a look at the reasons due to which India registered an emphatic win over Pakistan.


#1 Timely blows by Indian bowlers

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The pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah restricted Pakistani openers yet again, as they failed to capitalize on the powerplay overs. Playing with four spinners this time round, captain Rohit Sharma introduced the leg spin of Yuzvendra Chahal in the eighth over, who delivered with the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq, courtesy an accurate DRS call by MS Dhoni.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam did try to rebuild the innings, but both were dismissed in quick succession due to their own errors in judgement. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik's 107 run partnership for the 4th wicket was the only significant partnership, as the Indian bowlers picked up the wickets at regular intervals. Just when the batsmen got set and started to look dangerous, it was an Indian bowler who came on top.

As a result, no supporting partnership blossomed which led to the abysmal downfall of the Pakistani innings which was cruising during the presence of their senior pros.

#2 Sensational death bowling by Bumrah and Chahal

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Jasprit Bumrah was blitz in the death overs

It is not often that you see the bowling combination of a pacer and spinner in the death overs, especially with the the opposition's most experienced batsman and pinch hitter out in the middle.

Though India had claimed the priced scalp of Sarfaraz Ahmed before the commencement of death overs, Shoaib Malik got accustomed to the conditions, and started to look dangerous. Along with Asif Ali, he declared his intentions as the duo ripped apart the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 22 runs in the 42nd over.

Rohit Sharma was quick to switch to the other fiery paceman in his team, who could produce yorkers at will in the death overs. Jasprit Bumrah vindicated the faith of his skipper as he restricted the flow of runs, also picking up two wickets in the process. He got the better of Shoaib Malik and Shadab Khan while Yuzvendra Chahal cleaned up Asif Ali.

Pakistan, who were gearing up for a 250+ target at one stage, lost complete track of the proceedings as they succumbed to the brilliance of Bumrah. India gave away only 38 runs of the last seven overs, thereby restricting Pakistan to 237/7

#3 Spectacular captaincy by Rohit Sharma

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Rohit Sharma has done a remarkable job as the captain of India in the few opportunities that he has got, even drawing praises from the likes of Sunil Gavaskar. On Sunday, he demonstrated his astute cricketing brain once again, being spot on with the bowling changes and the field placements.

Playing with four spinners, Sharma was mindful in making the most of their talents. Rohit did not bowl out the quota of Bhuvneshwar, Jadeja and Chahal just for the sake of doing it, as he solicited some contribution from Kedar Jadhav. At the same time, he did not overuse Jadhav since the situation did not demand anything extraordinary.

Rohit initiated the spin attack with Yuzvendra Chahal, who dismissed opener Imam-ul-Haq. Once Babar Azam was out in the middle, he attacked with Kuldeep Yadav who had dismissed him last time, to win a psychological advantage. Once Kuldeep got a wicket, he took him out of attack and asked the unsettled Pakistani middle order to play the highly accurate and in-form Ravindra Jadeja. On the arrival of Shoaib Malik, who is a good player of spin, he brought back his best pacer Bumrah on the attack.

In the death overs, when Bhuvi got hit for 22 runs in his over, Rohit was quick to adapt and handed the ball to Jasprit Bumrah, who made life extremely difficult for the batsmen.

#4 Defensive mindset and below average fielding by Pakistan

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Pakistan finished 20-30 runs below the target that they were eyeing at one point of time. In such a condition, the onus was on their bowlers to deliver the goods against an in-form Indian batting order. The bowlers did create chances upfront, however the fielders failed to take these chances. Rohit Sharma was dropped three times by Shadab Khan (although it was a half chance), Imam ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman. Sharma tore apart the bowling attack as he went on to score an unbeaten hundred.

Captain Sarfaraz, too, adopted a defensive mindset which was evident in his field placements. He brought on middle overs bowler Hasan Ali in the fifth after a swift start by the Indian openers.

The fielding was also lacklustre, as the Indian openers continuously converted the singles into doubles, in addition to the dropped chances. With the ball coming slowly off the bat, Sarfaraz did not attack the batsmen with a tight fielding ofd the spinners, as Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan rotated the strike with ease.

#5 Formidable batting display by the Indians

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Rohit and Shikhar put up an opening stand of 210

With a below par score on the board and momentum on their side, a target of 238 did not seem daunting for the Indians to chase. Having said that, it was not as easy as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan made it look.

The two openers came out all guns blazing from the first over itself, overpowering Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi. While Rohit stepped into the anchor's role, it was Dhawan who acted as a catalyst, as he ripped apart the bowling attack.

As concerns were raised on the approach towards spinners, the duo remained undeterred post a brief vigilant approach. Shikhar Dhawan was the first to get to fifty and hundred, taking majority of the chances. The two amassed a mammoth 210 opening stand, the highest by India against Pakistan for the first wicket.

While Shikhar lost his wicket in an adrenaline rush, Rohit stayed unbeaten with 111, taking his team past the finishing line with nine wickets in hand.

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Edited by Ben Winfield