Hardik stays cool to ace a tense chase for India
The allrounder scored quickly in difficult conditions, after bowling with venom to restrict Pakistan to 147
The allrounder scored quickly in difficult conditions, after bowling with venom to restrict Pakistan to 147
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Danyal Rasool
And that wraps up our coverage of this India-Pakistan contest. Really fun game it's been, and India, who in truth always seemed one step ahead of Pakistan, sneak home in the final over. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and let's see you guys in these numbers for as many Asia Cup games as possible, not just India-Pakistan. On that naively optimistic note, I will sign off, and catch you again shortly. Take care!
Hardik Pandya is the Player of the Match. He has a huge smile on his face, as he well might.
"It's important to asses the situation and use your weapons," Pandya says. "The hard lengths particularly. But you have to use them wisely. When it comes to batting, the chances I take when executing, I'm likelier to pullit off when I'm calmer. I knew they had Nawaz waiting to bowl, and while we needed 7, even if we needed 15 I would have fancied by chances.
"I feel the bowler is under a lot more pressure than me. I just needed one six in that final over. I try to keep things simple."
"Halfway through the innings, we still believed," Rohit Sharma says. "That's the kind of belief we want to have in this group, where you're not in the game and you still manage to pull it off. We want to make sure they've all been given enough clarity around what to do in the middle. I'll take wins like this over one-sided wins.
"The fast bowlers have done very well in the last 12 months or so. We were challenged at times but overcoming those challenges will take us forward. Since Hardik's comeback into this team, he's been brilliant. Had a great IPL too. His batting qualities we all know, he has been brilliant with the bat since he came into the team."
Kamal: "Big comment from Rohit: "will take wins like this rather one-sided the wins.""
"The way we started we were 10-15 runs short,", Babar says. "We came back thanks to our outstanding fast bowling. Dahani stepped up with the bat which really gave us something to defend, but it's a shame we couldn't finish it off. "We wanted to have 15 or so to defend for Nawaz, but that wasn't to be and Pandya finished it off wonderfully."
Okay, we should have the presentations very shortly. Edwin : "Seeing Pakistan's players struggled with cramps and Indian bowlers managed to bowl all overs without an issue shows how good is India working on the fitness of the players. "
Phew, that was a tense finish. DK bows to Pandya and then hugs him. Sensational all-round performance from Pandya. After bouncing out Rizwan and Ahmed, he completes a tricky chase of 148 with a cameo of 33* off 17 balls. Jadeja also did his bit, hitting 35 off 29 balls after being promoted to No.4. Here's Jadeja: "We know they have a very good bowling attack and they don't give loose balls. We wanted to take it deep. I could've finished the game - left-arm spinner vs me - but Hardik did it. He knew his strengths and I was also looking to play positively and give him the strike. Danyal will bring you the post-match presentation.
Samrat Ahuja: "Those who were also watching the match on TV, saw that head nod by Hardik!! Man, what confidence! Leave it onto me, I will win it! "
Srihari Aditha: "Take a bow Hardik Pandya! What a calm and composed knock !! Long way to go.... "
Manoj: "This could have been the champions trophy 2017 final"
DK vs Nawaz
RA Jadeja b Mohammad Nawaz 35 (74m 29b 2x4 2x6) SR: 120.68
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