Farhan’s Composed Fifty And Ashraf’s Late Surge Power Pakistan To 171/5 Against India In Asia Cup Super Fours

Sahibzada Farhan anchored Pakistan’s innings with a controlled 58, while Faheem Ashraf provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 20 from just eight deliveries, as Pakistan posted 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs against India in the Asia Cup Super Fours at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Put in to bat first, Pakistan overcame early nerves when Farhan survived a dropped catch by Abhishek Sharma off Hardik Pandya’s bowling.

Partnered by Fakhar Zaman at the top, Farhan immediately seized control, dispatching Jasprit Bumrah for successive boundaries.

Zaman looked promising, flicking Bumrah for four and dancing down the pitch for another, but fell in the third over to a slower delivery from Pandya, with Sanju Samson completing a clean catch after third-umpire review.

Coming in at three, Saim Ayub opened his account by pulling Pandya for four and gained a reprieve when Kuldeep Yadav dropped him at short fine leg off Varun Chakaravarthy.

India Fight Back After Pakistan’s Strong Start

Farhan continued to dominate the Powerplay, smacking Bumrah for four more boundaries and slog-sweeping Chakaravarthy for another, helping Pakistan to a healthy 55/1 after six overs.

He and Ayub added 72 for the second wicket, pressuring Kuldeep with a pair of sixes.

Farhan brought up his half-century in 34 balls by pulling Axar Patel for a towering six.

However, India clawed back after the tenth over as Shivam Dube’s variations, aided by Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep, slowed the scoring to just 38 runs between overs 11 and 17.

Ayub top-edged a pull to Abhishek at fine leg off Dube, Hussain Talat mistimed a reverse sweep to short third man off Kuldeep, and Farhan, attempting a heave off Dube, lost his grip and found extra cover.

Pakistan reignited their innings in the final overs. Salman lofted a Kuldeep googly over long-off, while Nawaz struck Dube for six and four before a direct hit from Kuldeep ran him out for 21.

Ashraf then launched a late assault, swatting a Bumrah full toss for six and carving Pandya for four and six to push Pakistan beyond 170.

For India, Dube finished with 2/33, while Pandya and Kuldeep took one wicket each. Pakistan’s innings, which promised a larger total after its flying start, ended at a competitive 171/5, setting up an intriguing chase.

Also Read: Asia Cup Super Fours: India Elects To Bowl First Against Pakistan