Sports Reporter : Reigning champions Pakistan edged past their arch rivals India by one wicket in their crucial ODI match of the 12th Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. Sent into bat first, India made a fighting 245 for the loss of eight wickets in the regulation 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan reached the winning spot making 249 for the loss of nine wickets when they had just two balls to spare. Pakistan made a solid start as Ahmed Shehzad and Sharjeel Khan put on together 71 runs in the opening stand before Sharjeel Khan was cleanly bowled out by Ravichandran Ashwin when Pakistan’s total was 71 for the loss of one wicket. Later, Pakistan faced batting collapse as the reigning champions lost more three wickets for 113 runs. Then Mohammad Hafeez and Sohaib Maqsood adding together 87 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Mohammad Hafeez was caught at the deep square leg by Bhuvneshwar Kumar off Ravichandran Ashwin when Pakistan’s score was 200 for the loss of five wickets. Hafeez notched up a marvelous 75 from 117 balls with two over boundaries and three boundaries. Later, Pakistan were under pressure when in-form Sohaib Maqsood was run out by Dinesh Kartik for 38. at that time Pakistan’s score was 203 for the loss of six wickets. Earlier, opener Ahmed Shehzad hit a polished 42 from 44 balls including six fours. Shahid Afridi remained unbeaten with 34 from 18 balls hitting three massive over boundaries and two boundaries. Shahid Afridi played the key role hitting a six and then a four and snatched the dramatic victory. Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed three wickets at the cost of 44 runs while Amit Mishra and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged two wickets each for 28 and 56 runs respectively. Earlier, India lost their early four wickets for 103 runs. Then Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik built a worthy partnership. Rayudu and Karthik contributed together 52 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Karthik was caught at the short fine leg by Saeed Ajmal off Mohammad Hafeez when India’s score was 155 for the loss of five wickets. After dismissal of Karthik, Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja added together 59 runs for the sixth wicket partnership before Rayudu was caught by substitute Anwar Ali off Saeed Ajmal when India’s total was 214 for the loss of six wickets. Ambati Rayudu was the highest scorer of the world champions. He knocked a superb 58 from 62 balls with four boundaries and one over boundary. Earlier, opener Rohit Sharma hit a fine 56 off 58 balls including seven fours and two sixes. Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten with 52. His 49-ball innings was laced with four boundaries and two over boundaries. Right-arm spinner Saeed Ajmal grabbed three wickets instead of 40 runs while Mohammad Talha and Mohammad Hafeez bagged a pair of wickets each for 22 and 38 runs respectively.
