Afridi steals Indo-Pak thriller

BOOM BOOM IS BACK: Big-hitting Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi heaves one over wide long-on for a six to pull off a nail-biting one-wicket win over India in a crucial Asia Cup match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

Magic from the bat of Shahid Afridi gave Pakistan a thrilling one-wicket victory against old foes India in their Asia Cup encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur last night. A drama-filled match between the two arch-rivals was always on the cards and the near-packed house at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur got their fill of excitement.
In the middle of Pakistan's chase of 246 however, an easy victory for Pakistan seemed to be the odds-on result as Mohammad Hafeez and Sohaib Maqsood built an 87-run fifth-wicket partnership but in the end the match reached a crescendo as Pakistan required ten runs with two wickets in hand in the last over. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Saeed Ajmal in the very first ball to silence the Pakistan supporters in the stand but Junaid Khan took arguably the most precious single of his career to provide the opportunity for the dashing Afridi, who applied all his power to smash two sixes in the next two deliveries to become the hero with an unbeaten 18-ball 34.
Apart from avenging their loss in the last edition to India, Pakistan rubbed more salt on India's recent woes -- winless tours of South Africa and New Zealand. This defeat in more familiar conditions leaves them only a mathematical chance for them to stay in contention while Pakistan took one step closer to defending their title.
Many tagged it a contest of 'Pakistan bowling vs. Indian batting' and without any doubt the Pakistani bowlers came through with flying colours. After that Mohammad Hafeez, who is widely regarded as The Professor for his intelligence, played a sensible knock.  
In the 43rd over, Hafeez swiped Mohammad Shami away to the square leg boundary to ease the run-rate pressure but in the very next over fell victim of a carrom ball from Ravichandran Ashwin to end his 75-run knock which featured three fours and two sixes. India bounced back further when his partner Sohaib Maqsood was run out in the very next over but in the 46th over Shahid Afridi's two big shots against Ravindra Jadeja severely hampered any hopes the Indians may have been harbouring.
Pakistan openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad showed no nerves in reply to the decent target and their 71-run stand gave their team a solid foundation. Sharjeel's departure followed by opener Ahmed Shehzad with the score on 93 saw a mini collapse as Pakistan lost three wickets for just 20, including the crucial ones of skipper Misbahul Haq and Umar Akmal.
India were left to rue a missed stumping chance by Dinesh Karthik off Ashwin which gave Sohaib Maqsood a life with the score on 168 for four.
Earlier, three half-centuries helped India put up a decent total in the high-tension match after they were invited to bat first as bowling in the second half seemed to be a tough task for the dew factor.
Pakistan celebrated the wicket of Indian skipper and run-machine Virat Kohli in a way like their job was half done. The prolific right-hander edged to wicketkeeper Akmal while trying to guide a short ball from Umar Gul to third man, a wicket that had Gul taking off in a Shoaib Akhta-style aeroplane celebration.
But Rohit Sharma provided the early momentum with 56, before young Ambati Rayudu contributed 58 in the middle overs and then it was Ravindra Jadeja who rode on luck to make an unbeaten 52 that gave India respectability.