Ravindra Jadeja (52) hit a timely unbeaten half-century as India recovered from a mid-innings collapse to post a modest 245 for eight in their marquee Asia Cup clash against Pakistan here today.
Opener Rohit Sharma (56), who finally found his touch after a lean patch, and Ambati Rayudu (58) also did their bit but none of the batsman could make it big. However, India had at least something on board to fight for.
Rayudu scored 58 from 62 balls, while Jadeja was unbeaten on 52 from 42 balls (4x4, 2x6)
Experienced spinner Saeed Ajmal (3/40) bowled nicely in the death overs to remove three batsmen while debutant pacer Mohammad Talha (2/22) and off-spinner Mohammed Hafeez (2/38) took two wickets apiece.
Jadeja made full use of his reprieve on 12 when Hafeez dropped a sitter to post his ninth century.
It was Hafeez, who trapped Dhawan to give Pakistan their first breakthrough but India had the match in control with Sharma and Kohli in the middle.
Sharma's approach was different from what he looked after a poor outing in South Africa and New Zealand.
He pulled Gul over square leg to break free and he showed no mercy against pacer Junaid Khan, punching the left arm pacer for consecutive six and four.
Victim of Sharma's assault, Khan conceded 25 runs from his three overs before being taken away.
The duo mostly scored in boundaries and added a quick 38 runs from 36 balls before Gul gave Pakistan the biggest breakthrough in Kohli.
It turned out to be a soft dismissal as the in-form Indian skipper was done in by an away going delivery when he edged it to the wicketkeeper, looking to work it away towards the third man.
Sharma cruised to his 22nd half-century in just 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes but he could not make it big after getting out on a rash shot.
