The Indian cricket team is off to a great start against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash on Sunday, September 10. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill tore apart Pakistan’s in-form pace attack to help India score 61 runs in the first ten overs without losing any wickets.
After being forced to bat first at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, Rohit faced off left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi in the first over. Rohit was careful with his approach in the first over and Shaheen seemed confident to start the game with a maiden over. But Rohit ended the over with a six off Shaheen to open his and India’s account in style.
Rohit’s six to Shaheen also recorded a unique achievement for the Indian captain. He became the first-ever cricketer to smash a six off Shaheen in the bowler’s first over in ODIs. Shaheen has significantly bowled first overs on 26 occasions in 41 innings and has never conceded a six before today’s game.
Rohit was confident with his attacking approach today as he scored three fours and one six in the first ten overs. Notably, he didn’t go for a single run in the powerplay overs and looked in great rhythm with areal shots. Gill also took Shaheen in the powerplay overs by smashing him for six fours in two consecutive overs. India’s flying start added early pressure on Pakistani captain Babar Azam who was forced to introduce pace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf after six overs of play.
India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
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