Afridi sixers win thriller for Pakistan against India

DHAKA: Pakistan defeated India by one wicket in a sensational match of the Asia Cup 2014 here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 246, Pakistan completed the victory through two consecutive sixes from Shahid Afridi with two balls to spare.

Afridi remained not out on 34 which he scored from 18 balls with three towering sixes and two boundaries.

However, the top scorer was Mohammad Hafeez who made 75 with three fours and two sixes.

Besides, useful contributions were also made by Ahmed Shehzad (42), Sohaib Maqsood (38) and Sharjeel Khan (25).

Shehzad and Sharjeel provided a fine start of 71.

Earlier, Pakistan bowlers restricted India to 245 for eight in the fifty overs.

Sent into bat by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, India could not accelerate the run rate due to accurate bowling by Pakistan spinners and pace bowlers despite three individual
half-centuries.

Ambati Rayudu scored 58, Rohit Sharma made 52 and Ravindra Jadeja remained not out on 52.

Only three more batsmen – Ajinkya Rahane (23), Dinesh Karthik (23) and Shikhar Dhawan (10) - could get into the double figure.

For Pakistan, off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez grabbed three wickets for 40 and two for 38 while debutant fast bowler Mohammad Talha also captured two wickets for 22.

Pakistan made one change giving international cap to fast bowler Mohammad Talha in place of Anwar Ali while India also made one change as leg-spinner Amit Mishra replaced Stuart Binny.