Matches Posted Amarnath-Kardar Trophy - Two Giants Clash Again - High-scoring last match

CricStalker #4
Akram Tendulkar trophy, 2nd ODI: Clinical India takes 1-0 lead
Bazood Majooz, CricStalker Correspondent

In an entertaining match played on an absolute belter of a track, India have emerged victorious over Pakistan as they comfortablely chased down Pakistan's 328 with 6 wickets to spare, thanks to a glorious 122 by Rohit Sharma and flashy contributions from the rest of the top.

Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was completely packed as the match began. The atmosphere was totally energetic, and everyone could feel the excitement as both captains stood down in the middle for the toss. M. Chinnaswamy was known for being very batting friendly, but today it did not seem like there was anything for the bowlers. But the dew factor was also to be taken into consideration. So as India won the toss, Captain Mahendra Bahubali decided to put Pakistan into bat and take advantage of all the factors to chase down any total they're able to put.

Pakistan started off very normally before Neptune Gaming, who was playing his first match of the series, got bowled for 13 by a complete ripper from Jasprit Bumrah. The new man Talha Hayat and Umair Nazim attempted an onslaught, smashing 36 from the next 3 overs. But Umair got carried away and got caught out for 32 of 20. The next over saw the elegant Babar Azam caught off from a thick edge for a shameful golden duck, as if it was a curse from Asad Raza, the formar captain, who met the same fate just in the last match. Now suddenly things were looking bad for Pakistan.

As if to widen the wound, Talha Hayat got struck on the pads and the umpire didn't hesitate to give him out LBW, which seemed like a fairly questionable decision. And just as Pakistani fans were trying to figure out what the hell was happening, Ahmed Leo got himself into a huge mixup with Mohammad Hafeez and thus had to run all the way back to the pavilion. Pakistan now found themselves losing half their side for a mare 68 in just 10 overs. Despite the quick scoring, they just lost 3 wickets for just 8 runs and now were in deep, deep trouble as Maheer Amir joined Mohammad Hafeez to the crease.


Maheer Amir's selection for this match was very controversial from the beginning. Right before the first ODI, he had announced his retirement with a shocking Revelation against former captain Asad Raza, which proved that Raza was fixing a match against Afganistan and Maheer did not want to be a part of the team Raza led. He was eventually sacked and Maheer found himself despised by rioting fans of Asad Raza all around Paksitan. However, he then on returned to make himself available for selection again after Raza was sacked, which raised many eyebrows. So, as controversial his selection is, Maheer needed to prove his point. He needed to perform to silence his critics and to justify his inclusion in the squad.

And so he did.

He started smashing right from the word go, without the slightest bit of pressure as he batted. Hafeez didn't held back either and joined him on the party, and they would suddenly find themselves at 154 after 20 overs. 86 runs were conceded from over 11-20, and the duo weren't stopping there. They batted with sheer class and agression and brought Pakistan right back in the game. Both were utterly dominating the bowlers and having their own share of fun, accumulating 143 runs of 107 balls. But it ended with Hafeez clean bowled for 75 by an absolute beauty from Ravindra Jadeja in the 27th over. Soon the Captain got out and Pakistan were 7 down for 222, and Maheer was in the crease with Shaheen Afridi. Seeing the run rate, Maheer started to play a bit more reserved to get those runs on the board without the wickets falling, and Afridi defended and stayed at the crease to support him. Maheer would keep the the scoreboard ticking and eventually, reached a well deserved 100. It was a masterclass of an innings with amazing strokeplay and unbelievable confidence. He didn't last long after that as he got out for 112, but not before silencing all his critics and showing everyone his true worth. Afridi followed him soon after. Then Hasan Ali, just like the previous match, played a very useful cameo to add 47 to the last wicket. Pakistan were bowled out for 327 in 48.4 overs. Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3 for 53 in 9 overs, while Yash Hirani also picked up 2 for 55. Nilay Shah took 1 wicket but went for 73 of his 10. Pakistan's top order faltered just like the last match. But because of the sublime knocks by Maheer, Hafeez and Hasan Ali, they managed a big total. But obviously it was a very chaseable one in such a track, especially for a formaidable lineup such as India's. And as the the dew factor also factoring in alongside, Pakistan knew they had a tough job in their hands.


The Indian batsmen started the chase, and they looked at ease from the word go. There was no sign of pressure, and they easily picked up the boundaries from the loose balls. Rohit Sharma was playing the aggressor, and Sod Anderson supported him while picking up boundaries himself. They soon crossed the 100 run mark partnership, and continued to attack. The Pakistani bowlers were looking very helpless at this point, they tried everything but India kept piling up the runs. When Sod Anderson was finally dismissed for 59, India already scored 149 in 21 overs. Virat Kohli joined Rohit and they played the same as before, and eventually Rohit reached his 100. The required rate was less than 6 an over at this point. Rohit and Kohli batted for a while before Rohit would get out for a superb 122. Then Kohli would score his 50 and Ali Bubere would smash an aggressive 47 of 35 balls to get India to the target with more than 3 overs to spare. The bowling was all over the place for Pakistan. Only Shahid Younus would make a good contribution with the ball, getting 2 for 64 in 10 overs. The rest of the bowling was mediocre. India secured a comfortable victory by 6 wickets, and took a 1-0 lead. Their top order ensured them the best possible start and the middle order would be there to ensure the victory. Pakistan lacked the support from the top and the middle order, thus they missed out on making the best use of this track. There were mistakes from the bowlers as well. So they must make sure that even amidst the chaos form within, they look forward for giving out their best. Despite India's victory Maheer Amir's knock for redemption made sure he was adjusted the man of the match.


(Note: Thank you for reading this far. I hope you liked it. I apologize for the lack of humour in this article. To compensate for that, here is a joke which also should serve as a reward sor reading this far:
"Can a Match box?
No but a Tin Can.

Ha ha ha. So unfunny that it makes me laugh.
-Bazood Majooz )
 
Looks who is talking, the team is down because of his corruptions and they are Fighting back to rinse the taint.
Looks like KRK to me
Peace Was Never an Option - Meming Wiki
 
"As far as the batting goes, our top and middle order failed yet again. The Indian team certainly played better cricket and thus came out as the winners of this crucial match. Their bowling was tight and they fielded extremely well."
"What mattered was the spirit in which it was played. It was heartening to see the camaraderie between the Indians and the Pakistanis - on the field by our players and off it between the spectators."

- Shahid Younus
 

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