"Our Only Game Plan Was...": Babar Azam On How Pakistan Tried To Fight India

After suffering a five-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India in Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam heaped praise on the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who took the 'Men in Blue' to a thrilling victory. The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India recover after losing its top three and eventually win the match in the last over

"He did very well in bowling and in batting as he finished off the game. According to me, he is a very good all-rounder," said Babar Azam said in a post-match press conference.

Jadeja smashed 35 while Pandya hammered 33 in 17 balls. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz bagged three and Naseem Shah scalped two wickets.

"Our only game plan was to take the game as deep as possible. Naseem Shah bowled very well and took crucial wickets for the team. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish but I think Nawaz should be given credit for performing well in the pressure game. The shortfall remained with our partnership. The toss doesn't matter, the team's efforts matter. And my team performed very well. It was a big match for Naseem Shah but still, he did very well. It was his confidence, the way he has shown his growth," he added.

Chasing 148 runs, India got off to a bad start as they lost their opener, KL Rahul, without even scoring a run. Rahul's wicket brought Virat Kohli out on the crease, who was playing his 100th T20I on Sunday.

The Indian experienced duo of Rohit Sharma and Kohli played with caution but kept smashing boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Virat Kohli was in red-hot form as he kept smashing boundaries to keep India in the hunt in the run chase. Rohit also got going but his stint was cut short as he was dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz after scoring 12 runs. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja then came out to bat.

Nawaz struck again in the same over as he cut short Kohli's blistering knock, sending his back to the pavilion for 35 runs.

Suryakumar Yadav then joined Jadeja in smashing Pakistan bowlers all around the ground. Both batters played some big shots with grit to keep India's run chase alive.

Pakistan made a stunning comeback in the match as their bowler Naseem Shah clean bowled Suryakumar Yadav for 18 runs. All-rounder Hardik Pandya came to the crease to join hands with Jadeja.

With three overs to go, India needed 32 runs in 18 balls to win the match. Jadeja smashed a four and a six in the 18th over of the innings to improve India's chances of winning the match.

In the 19th over Pandya smashed three boundaries and took India near the finish line with 7 runs needed off the final over. But spinner Nawaz gave a big blow to the Indian team as he dismissed Jadeja off the first ball of the over.

Dinesh Karthik then came to bat and took a single to put Pandya on strike, who then smashed a huge six on the fourth delivery of the last  and took his team home by five wickets.

Topics mentioned in this article

India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team Asia Cup, 2022 Hardik Pandya Ravindra Jadeja Babar Azam Rohit Sharma Cricket