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India vs Pakistan Rivalry In Asia Cup 2022 (Source: @BCCI/x.com, @ICC/x.com)
As the game of cricket is always exciting, the real flavor of the game arrives with some bone-chilling rivalries. Since the sport took root in the subcontinent, India and Pakistan, neighbors off the field, fierce rivals on it, have produced some of the most unforgettable clashes in cricket history.
On the big stage of the ICC tournaments, they have given their best. The Asia Cup 2022 clash was no exception; India struck first with a commanding win, only for Pakistan to fight back and claim victory in the second match. Let’s take a tour of those clashes.
India Seizes Early Advantage Against Pakistan In Asia Cup 2022
After recovering from the horrific waves of COVID-19, the prestigious Asia Cup came back in 2022, and the cricket world enjoyed a thrilling edition of the marquee tournament. As any global event is not completed without an India vs Pakistan clash, the Asia Cup 2022 didn’t disappoint the fans as the duo locked horns in the second group stage match of the tournament.
Bowling first in the match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought his seam magic as he sent captain Babar Azam back in just 10 runs. Assisting him, Hardik Pandya tore through Pakistan’s batting lineup. While Mohammad Rizwan fought hard with a gritty 43, he found little support as the rest of the lineup crumbled, folding for just 147 runs.
Chasing the small target was not a big deal, but Pakistan’s lethal bowling troubled the men in blue as Mohammad Nawaz led the way with his bowling magic. Amidst the struggle, KL Rahul’s duck put on the pressure, but Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s partnership steadied the innings.
Just when the match hung in the balance, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya turned the tide with a brilliant 52-run partnership, guiding India to a nail-biting five-wicket win with only two balls to spare.
Pakistan Gives Back A Sharp Answer On The Super Four Stage
Defeat against the rivals just not a normal defeat, as it is always a challenge to come back stronger, and Pakistan proved that in the next match. As they faced each other again in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan took revenge. Batting first, India looked solid as the openers laid a strong foundation with a 54-run partnership, setting the stage for another gripping battle.
India-Pakistan battle remains pale if Virat Kohli doesn’t set the stage on fire. In that clash, the King didn’t disappoint the world as he notched a half-century before getting out on a run out, scoring 60 runs in 44 balls. That was a turning point of the game as India ended their innings in 181.
Chasing the total was not easy, but Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz’s grit flipped the script. After Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman’s dismissals, the duo stitched a game-changing 73-run partnership. As the pressure mounted in the final overs, Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali’s explosive cameo pushed Pakistan closer. With just two runs needed off the last two balls, Iftikhar Ahmed held his nerve, smashing Arshdeep Singh for a boundary to seal a thrilling 5-wicket win.
More Than Cricket, It’s A Battle Of Nerves
The cricket world witnessed many battles on the field and came across some of the best rivalries worldwide, but very few have come out as the India vs Pakistan. Over the years, this showdown has only grown fiercer and more electrifying, with a single clash capable of redefining the hype of an entire tournament.
Keeping all the records aside, putting all the past rivalries on the side, a new chapter is on the way to be written. With the Asia Cup 2025 underway, all eyes are on September 14 as the two giants collide once again, and the cricketing world braces for the next installment of this legendary rivalry.
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