Asia Cup Highlights, India vs Afghanistan: India vs Afghanistan Super Four Clash Ends In A Tie
Highlights, India vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018: India were bowled out for 252 as Afghanistan produced a brilliant bowling performance.
The Asia Cup 2018 Super Four clash between India (252 all out) and Afghanistan ended in a tie as Rashid Khan bowled a brilliant last over, defending just seven runs. Afghanistan opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted a competitive 252/8 in 50 overs as opener Mohammad Shahzad (124) struck a brilliant century. Mohammad Shahzad was the aggressor for Afghanistan as he played his natural game and sent the Indian bowlers on a leather hunt. In reply, India got off to a great start as new opener KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu played wonderful cricket and kept the scoreboard ticking with occasional boundaries, upping the ante after the first five overs. However, both the openers were sent back after they notched up their respective fifties. Following that, India kept losing wickets in regular intervals but were still in top due to their strong start. (SCORECARD) (Play fantasy league and win cash daily)
However, with the increasing dot balls and required ever rising run-rate, India failed to score runs more freely and Afghanistan edged closer to a victory. Rashid Khan was given the responsibility of bowling the last over with Ravindra Jadeja and Khaleel Ahmed on strike. Jadeja struck a boundary on the second ball to keep India in the hunt. However, Rashid followed up with better deliveries and ultimately the left-handed batsman was caught in the deep. For India, KL Rahul top scored with 60 runs and Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan was adjudged man of the match.
India Cricket Team
Afghanistan
Asia Cup: IND vs AFG Highlights
Right! That's it from here. Afghanistan go back with their heads held high. They put in a really commendable performance against the best side in ODI cricket and tying such a close game is no easy feat. India, well, would consider this as the perfect tune-up game before the big final as their middle order was really tested. In any case, we bid you farewell for now. But do join us in a few hours' time for the virtual semi-final between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The contest takes place on 26th September, at 1530 local (1130 GMT). See you then. Cheers!
Ok. The jury is out. MOHAMMAD SHAHZAD HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. He says he isn't happy with the result as he wanted to win, but is happy with the performance his side put against a team like India. States that since they were going to go back home anyway, his idea was to just hit it and play his natural game. Is glad to have played a knock like this. Reckons that he wasn't playing well in the last few games, so is content he ended the tournament on a high.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni praises Afghanistan for their improvement in cricket. Commends their growth and says that they are one country that has risen up the ranks. Is full of praise for the way they bowled and fielded tonight. He says that India were handicapped today as they had rested their first-choice players. Faults his fast bowlers for not hitting the right lengths in the initial overs. On the batting, he is happy that the team got off to a terrific start but laments the starts not getting converted. Is very stern about his comments regarding the shot selection. Praises Afghanistan for their fielding and maintaining relentless pressure.
Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says the wicket was good for the spinners. Credits Mohammad Shahzad for playing positive cricket and applauds the Indian openers for the way they played. States that his bowlers did well and is happy with their performance. Mentions that India are a very good side, but acknowledges that his team gave them a tough fight and also wishes them all the best for the final. On Shahzad, he says that he's a good player and played positive cricket, just feels unfortunate that he couldn't do it in the last game.
India had Ravindra Jadeja at one end but he kept running out of partners. However, he played smartly up until till that final ball. Well, one cannot help but be harsh on him. With 1 run needed, 2 balls remaining, it would have been better had he played that along the ground. But that is pressure. Please stay tuned for the presentation. Whom should the man of the match go to? Shahzad, for his century? Or Nabi, for his 64 and 2 wickets? Let us see...
This was a perfect game for the middle order to test itself. Throughout the tournament, India have been winning handsomely, thanks to its top order. Dinesh Karthik was playing beautifully but then Dhoni got a rough call. After that, Pandey threw his wicket away. But Jadhav stayed around, til a freakish run out got him. And then, Karthik got a rough call too and that is where, the game swung.
Phew. Let us try and dissect the innings. Can one bad review turn the game against you? It surely did against India tonight. Lokesh Rahul chose to review a straightforward LBW decision and well, it really hurt India. The 110-run opening stand set the run chase up and then, there was a bit of a collapse. The batting side slipped from 110/1 to 166/4 but Jadhav and Karthik were still at the crease.
Take a bow, Afghanistan. You can go back home with your heads held high. At 204/4, with 49 needed from 68 balls, one would have thought it is India's game. However, the Afghan bowlers and fielders believed in themselves and though they could not win, prevented a defeat too.
OUT! THE MATCH IS TIED! Unbelievable scenes. Rashid Khan is flying around, like an aeroplane. Shikhar Dhawan is smiling in the dressing room. How did India goof it up? A short ball, Jadeja rocked back and pulled it uppishly. He could have hit it anywhere he liked but he chose the only man in the deep on the leg side - mid-wicket. Najibullah Zadran comes running in and takes a terrific catch. Oh boy, what a game. Does not matter to either team but what a match we have had.
Nervy moment! Full and outside off, the googly, Khaleel does not pick it at all. Looks to drive and the ball nearly goes through the gate. Takes the inside edge and scoots past the leg stump towards short fine leg! Jadeja is halfway down the track and Khaleel has to run. He seems to be gone for all money but short fine leg returns a sharp rocket throw and Rashid is unable to collect. SCORES ARE LEVEL!