CRICKET
‘Rohit Sharma couldn’t, but he did’ – Matthew Hayden’s words of praise for star India cricketer after IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 game
India opened their Asia Cup 2023 campaign to disappointment on September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The arch-rivals Pakistan were the opposition in front. The said disappointment came on two grounds. Firstly, rain played spoilsport leading to the game being abandoned. Secondly, India’s batting display, especially by the top order, was not very promising. They were later saved from embarrassment by the crucial 138-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.
Pandya remained the highest-scorer for the ‘Men in Blue’ with 87 runs scored off 90 boundaries, including seven fours and one six. He was closely followed by Ishan Kishan, who scored 82 off 81 deliveries, including nine fours and two sixes. In the end, the Men in Blue succumbed to Naseem Shah’s pace brilliance as they were bundled out for 266 runs with 7 balls to spare. However, from 66/4 to reaching a competitive total of 266 spoke a lot about India’s resilience.
‘He was able to manipulate strike and manoeuvre the spinners’ – Matthew Hayden
Speaking on the same issue, former Aussie great Matthew Hayden praised Hardik Pandya’s role in the tournament opener for the ‘Men in Blue’. He said, “He (Hardik Pandya) should’ve scored 120. He knew he had Ishan Kishan at the other end. But he played really well. He did exactly what India needed at that situation, soaked in the pressure. He was able to manipulate strike, he was able to manoeuvre the spinners. He made sure Ishan Kishan was at ease at the other end. In my opinion, it was a captain’s knock. Rohit Sharma couldn’t but Hardik Pandya did.”
Talking of Pakistan’s brilliance with the ball, their pacers returned with all ten wickets. Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who now enjoys celebrity status in Pakistan Cricket dropped a massive performance recording figures of 4/35 in ten overs, including two maidens. His partner in crime, Haris Rauf scalped three while conceding 58 runs in nine overs. Finally, young gun Naseem Shah scalped three for just 38 runs in 8.5 overs.