The much-anticipated Indo-Pak clash kicked off with the men-in-green opting to bat in the Asia Cup Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya returned to bolster the line-up, while Pakistan went in with an unchanged Playing XI from the Hong Kong game. Despite some empty stands, one couldn’t miss the India-Pakistan fervour and after the formalities of national anthem, the match kicked off to a rousing roar. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was rusty in his return game against Hong Kong, struck twice early in his spell to remove Pakistan openers.
Bhuvi dismissed Imam-ul-Haq for 2 with the first delivery of his 2nd over. Pakistan’s Champions Trophy hero, Fakhar Zaman was the next to depart for a 9-ball duck off Bhuvneshwar’s bowling, caught by Yuzvendra Chahal at midwicket.
So at the end of the first Powerplay, India finished on top with some tight bowling against impatient Pakistan openers.
