SPORTS

After beating Hong Kong by a massive margin of 155 runs, Pakistan made a big statement of intent, at the same time, qualifying for the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2022 at the Sharjah cricket stadium. Men in Green had started their campaign with a loss vs arch-rivals India but made a strong comeback vs Hong Kong to prove a point or two. They will face India again now in the first of the Super 4s clash on Sunday (September 4) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the joy of watching their favourite teams in one of the most awaited clashed will be back for the fans. 

A poll asking viewers to choose between Rahul, Rohit, and Virat Kohli as the highest run-scorer for India appeared on TV screens during the fifth over.

The camera tells its own narrative by broadcasting different perspectives, replays, and capturing specific expressions and reactions of players. And on Wednesday, the cameraman somehow captured another moment in time in the Indian dressing room during the Asia Cup 2022 match between India and Hong Kong at the Dubai International Stadium.

KL Rahul and captain Rohit Sharma took the score to 33/0 in four overs before India was asked to bat after Afghanistan skipper Nizakat Khan won the toss and chose to bowl.

There is no dearth of excitement when Suryakumar Yadav is at the crease. He can play authentic cricketing shots and look beautiful to watch. He also plays instinctively and creates shots that makes everyone sit and watch in awe and make his captain Rohit Sharma describe his batting as “those (shots) are not written anywhere in the book”.

Yadav is that kind of a batsman who can win you matches single-handedly. It requires something extraordinary from the opposition to outclass Yadav’s attacking knock. On Wednesday against Hong Kong, Yadav scored a 26-ball 68 not out with six fours and an equal number of sixes to steer India to 192 for two and eventually a 40-run victory.

Walking in to join Virat Kohli after the fall of KL Rahul at the end of the 13th over, Yadav had a big task to do. Courtesy KL Rahul’s slow batting, India were only 94 for two in 13 overs, going at 7.23. Yadav straightaway got into the act of scoring, executing two sweep shots for fours off left-arm spinner Yasim Murtaza and finishing with four sixes in the 20th over off right-arm medium-pacer Haroon Arshad.

Team Indian vice-captain KL Rahul couldn't have wished for an easier opposition to get his rhythm back as a buoyant India get ready to steamroll minnows Hong Kong in their second and final group league game of the Asia Cup 2022 on Wednesday (August 31). The Group A match won't be more than a glorified net session for Rohit Sharma's men against a team, mostly comprising Pakistani and Indian expats, who otherwise are not good enough to play first-class cricket in either of the two nations.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya was the star of the evening for India as they defeated Pakistan by five wickets in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday. After picking up three wickets with the ball, Hardik finished the game for India by remaining unbeaten on 33 off 18 balls including four fours and a six that he hit to wrap up the game. With India battling a steep asking rate of almost 10 an over, Pandya kept his calm, and when the time came accelerated in fine fashion to see his side through over the line.