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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PIX: Kishan-Pandya sizzle in the rain!

PIX: Kishan-Pandya sizzle in the rain!

Source: PTI
Last updated on: September 02, 2023 22:30 IST
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Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya put on a 138-run stand in a counter-attack after India lost early wickets

IMAGE: Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya put on a 138-run stand in a counter-attack after India lost early wickets. Photograph: Asian Cricket Council/X

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kisha's rescue act stole the show for India before rain played spoilsport in the Asia Cup match in Pallekele on Saturday.

The duo hit half-centuries to help India overcome a fiery opening spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi and rally them to 266 against Pakistan.

Kishan (82 off 81 balls) and Pandya (87 off 90 balls) kept Pakistan bowlers at bay with a 138-run fifth wicket stand off 141 balls.

 

They joined forces after Pakistan pacers Afridi, who accounted for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early, and Haris Rauf combined to reduce India to 66/4 in the 15th over.

Shaheen Afridi celebrates on dismissing Rohit Sharma 

IMAGE: Shaheen Afridi celebrates on dismissing Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Asian Cricket Council/X

It was a rather unfamiliar job for both Pandya and Kishan, who generally love to give a wallop to the bowlers.

But the conditions at Pallekele, which always had a lick of drizzle, and a high-octane bowling attack, meant that the Indian pair would have to curb their shot-making instincts.

They had to be precise in the selection of each shot, and needed to be extra patient.

Afridi (4/35) tailed the ball in, Naseem Shah tested their awareness outside the off-stump and Rauf (3 for 58) pounded in those heavy balls, but the Indian duo soaked in all those tough moments.

 Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan were severe on Pakistani spinners

IMAGE: Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan were especially severe on Pakistani spinners. Photograph: ICC/X

The boundaries and big shots were not easy to come by but Pandya and Kishan pushed the board ahead with singles and their 50-run partnership came in just 52 balls.

Pandya was happy to play the sidekick role to Kishan during their fifth wicket alliance that was worth 138 runs. This was the first time the left-hander was batting below the No.4 slot in his career, and he didn't show any signs of nerves.

That Pakistan captain opted to give a longer spell to his spinners -- Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Agha -- also played its part in Kishan getting settled in the middle.

Ishan Kishan scored 82 off 81 

IMAGE: Ishan Kishan scored 82 off 81. Photograph: BCCI/X

Kishan brought his 50 in a mere 54 balls and he could have easily converted it into a three-figure score.

But his attempt to play a big pull off Rauf ended in the hands of Babar inside the circle.

However, his innings might have eased some worries in the Indian camp about a wobbly middle-order in the absence of KL Rahul.

Haris Rauf celebrates on dismissing Ishan Kishan. He finished with figures of 3 for 58 off his 9 overs 

IMAGE: Haris Rauf celebrates on dismissing Ishan Kishan. He finished with figures of 3 for 58 off his 9 overs. Photograph: PCB/X

Once Kishan departed, Pandya took charge of the Indian innings and slammed spinner Nawaz for a massive six over mid-wicket.

However, Afridi returned to snap his stay. The left-arm pacer rolled his fingers to deliver a slower ball and Pandya just prodded it into the hands of Salman at extra cover.

From thereon, a few beefy blows by Jasprit Bumrah carried the side past the 250-run mark. Just after the end of the Indian innings, another spell of steady downpour started.

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