India clinched a thrilling 3-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday in Asia Cup 2010. Batting first, Pakistan got all out for 267 runs with three balls in hands. The match was decided in the last over when India overcame Pakistan’s total with a ball to spare after losing 7 wickets.
Pakistani openers brought a good start through their 71-run opening stand. It looked Pakistan would cross the 300-mark when Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt were batting during their 73-run partnership for the second wicket. Highest 74 runs came from Butt’s willow.
Pakistan lost wickets regularly thereafter, but Kamran Akmal’s 41-ball 51 in the lower middle order guided Pakistan towards a descent total of 267 runs. Malik and Afridi scored 39 and 32 runs respectively.
Praveen Kumar was the most successful Indian bowler with 3 wickets to his credit. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan picked up 2 wickets each.
India did not have a very good start in their chase as they lost their shaky-looking opener Sehwag at 47. However, his opening partner Gautam Gambhir led India’s successful chase contributing 83 runs off 97 balls. Along with Dhoni, Gambhir made a 98-run partnership for the third wicket. Dhoni scored 56 runs.
Later, Raina’s 34 off 27 and Rohit Sharma’s 22 brought India very close to the target, but it was Harbhajan Singh who ensured India’s victory with an over boundary off Aamer in the penultimate ball of the Indian innings. Harbhajan scored 15 runs off 12 balls.
Pakistani off spinner Saeed Ajmal picked up 3 wickets for Pakistan. Gambhir was named man of the match for his match-winning innings.
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