Pakistan out of the Asia Cup
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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Harbhajan Singh smash a huge six of the 2nd last over of the match to knock out Pakistan from Asia Cup.
As Expected, India vs Pakistan proved to be nail bitter and in the end it is Pakistan who is out of the Asia Cup 2010 courtesy of Harbhajan Singh who hit the most important six of his life in the 2nd last ball of the match to win the match for India.
India got the target of 268 in the second last ball of the match with three wickets in hand and now the big game for the Asian title will be played on 24 June between host Sri Lanka and India.
Pakistan win the toss and batted first, after a solid start courtesy of Salman Butt’s 74 green shirts was looking favorites to cross 300 easily but India got things under control in the middle stages and in the end Kamran Akmal single handedly take Pakistan to a respectable total of 267 with quick fire fifty.
Every thing was there in this match which a cricket lover can expect to see in India vs Pakistan game, pressure was all over the place, nerves were out of control and few words were also exchange. In the end you have to say that Pakistani fielding let them down in this match, other wise the result would have been different.
Target of 268 was never goanna be easy after loosing Sehwag and Kohli early, skipper Dhoni and Ghambir put India in the driving seat with superb partnership of 98 which left only 89 to get off the last 15 overs with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan came back in the contest with some beautiful spin bowling from Malik ,Ajmal and Afridi. 180/3 in the 36th over then 219/6 in the 46th over, game was definitely in the Pakistan’s hands but Shoaib Malik missed a simple run out of Raina gave India a breather, Raina and Harbhajan then stepped in to lead a brilliant recovery and crush a valiant Pakistan side’s hopes of staying alive in the tournament and in the end Harbhajan Singh show the shades of T20 semi-final where Hussey wins the game for Australia and this time it was Harbhajan who smash the ball out of the park to book their place in the final.
Shoaib Akhtar bowls superbly and Indian batsmen looked out of thoughts on several occasions while facing him, in the 49th over Raina and Harbhajan both took on Shaoib Akhtar but Shoaib came back strongly and finish the over with 2 bouncers to Harbhajan Singh which he probably didn’t like and few words were exchange between Singh and Harbhajan but Bili responded quickly and calms things down.
7 needed in the last over of Aamer, Raina took the single on the first ball which brings Harbhajan on the strike, Raina tried to get it back immediately by stealing a bye but his desperate dive was beaten by Kamran Akmal's throw. Kamran was pumped: he had dropped Sharma earlier, and had a confrontational tête-à-tête with Gambhir over an appeal for a catch.
Praveen Kumar, India's No. 9, scored three off his first two balls and gave Harbhajan the strike for the penultimate delivery. Aamer ran in and pitched on a length, Harbhajan wound up, swung hard, and began to raise his hands in triumph as the ball cleared the ropes. And then he roared, and roared, and looked for Shoaib.
Although Pakistan is out of the tournament but there are few positives for to be taken for Afridi and his men. Shoaib Akhtar’s come back in international cricket is more than handy for Pakistan cricket. He is a star performer and he always makes his presence felt in the cricket match.
In the both games of Asia Cup Pakistan didn’t finish the game very well, in both the games Pakistan was in a position to win it then gave it away.
Source Author: Pakcricketworld.com
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