Hardik Pandya bagged a three-wicket haul as India bundled out Pakistan for a mere 83 runs in their Twenty20 International clash of the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Saturday evening.
Pandya returned figures of 3/8 while fellow pacers Ashish Nehra (1/20) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/8) also made good use of the uneven bounce on a greenish wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja (2/11) also bowled well.
Sarfraz Ahmad was the top scorer for Pakistan with 25. Only two Pakistani batsmen managed to post double figures.
This was the third lowest total by Pakistan in T20 cricket.
Electing to field after winning the toss, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw his decision pay rich dividends as the Indian pacers ruled the roost on a greenish wicket.
The Pakistani batsmen compounded their own misery by some poor shot selection and shoddy running between the wickets which led to a couple of run outs.
The Indian pace duo of the experienced Nehra and talented youngster Bumrah bowled a superb opening spell. They bowled with pace and swing, helped by the uneven bounce.
Pakistan suffered an early blow when Nehra struck in the very first over. Opener Mohammad Hafeez was outfoxed by the variable bounce when he misjudged the height of an incoming delivery.
Sharjeel Khan followed his opening partner back to the pavilion soon after when he attempted to cut a widish delivery from Bumrah. But the extra bounce caught him unawares and he offered a thick edge off the bottom of the bat to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip.
Khurram Manzoor, who was making his debut, did not have a memorable introduction to T20 Internationals when he was run out under somewhat comical circumstances.
The 29-year-old ran halfway down the pitch after Shoaib Malik hit a Bumrah delivery to Virat Kohli at cover. Malik tried to send Manzoor back to his crease. In his haste, Manzoor dropped his bat and was caught a long way out of his crease as Kohli came up with an accurate throw to the non-striker's end.
That virtually knocked the wind out of Pakistan's sails. When Malik and Umar Akmal were dismissed off consecutive deliveries leaving Pakistan tottering at 35/5, their innings was as good as over.
Indo-Asian News Service
ajb/bg
