Dubai, Sep 21 (NationPress) Sahibzada Farhan emerged as the star with a score of 58, while Faheem Ashraf contributed a brisk 20 off just eight balls, leading Pakistan to a total of 171/5 in their 20 overs during the Asia Cup Super Fours match against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Farhan’s impressive half-century formed the foundation of Pakistan’s innings, characterized by his astute placement and strategic footwork. The opener consistently crafted shots, disrupting the Indian bowlers' lengths, particularly during the Powerplay, where he took charge against a struggling Jasprit Bumrah, who allowed 34 runs in his first three overs.

Pakistan appeared poised for a much larger score after reaching 91/1 in the initial ten overs, with Farhan and Saim Ayub sharing a substantial 72-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the introduction of Shivam Dube saw Pakistan's momentum wane.

Dube, alongside Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, successfully curtailed Pakistan's scoring rate, as only 38 runs were managed between overs 11 and 17. Although Pakistan salvaged some runs in the final three overs, amassing 42 runs, the total seemed modest considering their early dominance. Dube finished with figures of 2-33, while Kuldeep and Hardik Pandya claimed a wicket each.

After being asked to bat first, Farhan survived an early scare when Abhishek Sharma dropped a catch in the opening over bowled by Pandya. The decision to elevate Fakhar Zaman in the batting order appeared promising as he flicked Bumrah for four, then danced down the pitch for another boundary.

However, Zaman’s bright start was cut short in the third over; he edged a slower delivery from Pandya that was caught by Sanju Samson, confirmed by the third umpire.

Coming in at position three, Saim Ayub marked his first runs of the tournament by pulling Pandya for four. He received a lifeline at four when Kuldeep dropped a catch at short fine leg off Chakaravarthy.

Farhan continued to excel, smashing Bumrah for four boundaries and slog-sweeping Chakaravarthy for another four as Pakistan concluded the Powerplay at 55/1. After Abhishek failed to grab a challenging catch off Farhan over long-on for six, he and Ayub kept the pressure on Kuldeep by hitting him for a maximum each.

Farhan reached his fifty in 34 balls with a powerful pull shot off Axar Patel that sailed for a massive six. However, as boundaries became scarce, India started to make inroads. Ayub top-edged a pull to a diving Abhishek at fine leg off Dube, while Hussain Talat mistimed a reverse sweep to short third man off Kuldeep, and Farhan lost control of the bat while attempting to heave off Dube, leading to his dismissal at extra cover.

Pakistan initiated a resurgence towards the end when Salman lofted a googly from Kuldeep over long-off for six, followed by Mohammad Nawaz hitting Dube for six and four. However, India retaliated with a direct hit from Kuldeep that caught Nawaz out of his crease, resulting in his dismissal for 21.

After Ashraf hit a full toss from Bumrah for six, India nearly had him dismissed, but Shubman Gill dropped a catch at deep mid-wicket. That missed opportunity proved costly as Ashraf edged and sliced Pandya for four and six, pushing Pakistan past 170.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 171/5 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 58, Saim Ayub 21; Shivam Dube 2-33, Hardik Pandya 1-29) against India.