India was always going to be the better team. How much better was the question. Could Pakistan compete? Are they even there to be able to push India? Could the Indians remove all the emotion when they walked out and turn in a ruthless and clinical effort? These were the questions doing the rounds at the start of the Asia Cup game.
In front of a Dubai International Stadium packed to 90 per cent, the Indians turned in an effort they will be pleased with. They needed to brush Pakistan aside and they did. From the first wicket in the very first over of Hardik Pandya, to Kuldeep Yadav’s incisive spell, at no point was Pakistan allowed to get away. Except for Shaheen Afridi’s last-ditch effort to add some important runs, India always had the leash in their hands. And at the end, the total of 127 was never going to be enough against a very powerful Indian batting attack.
In fact, the first two balls defined the Indian approach. Shaheen was hit for a four and a six and this was a very different India that Pakistan were up against. No bowler was allowed to settle and even after the two wickets fell, there was no respite. The Indians were just too good.
In the end, I have to say Pakistan are worse than we thought they were. They weren’t able to compete and the gap between the two sides, at least tonight, was wide. India are a gun team and they know they can brush Pakistan aside. For those who watched the match, it must have been pleasing to see the way the Indians went about business. For those who did not watch, they are very much entitled to it, for it is a matter of personal choice.
Suryakumar Yadav, whose birthday it was, will be a relieved man. There was pressure and they performed admirably under the weight of expectations. The gap between the two sides is such that even on September 21 when they are expected to meet again, nothing much can be expected of Pakistan. It is India all the way and barring a miracle, it will continue to be that way next Sunday.
And yes, none of us need to celebrate much. It was a match we had to play. We did and won. Pakistan isn’t a contest and are only a tad degree better than some of the Associate teams.
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