"We fought. We fought real hard!"- Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and other Indian stars react to thrilling Asia Cup 2022 win against Pakistan
India kicked off their Asia Cup 2022 campaign with a fantastic last-over win against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (August 28). The Men in Blue avenged the 10-wicket loss they suffered at the hands of Pakistan at the same venue during last year's ICC T20 World Cup.
Hardik Pandya was the key architect behind India's win. He picked up three wickets and followed it up with an unbeaten 17-ball 33 to help India win the crunch contest by five wickets and two balls to spare.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision worked in India's favor as Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke the dangerous opening stand between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the third over itself.
The Indian fast bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals and did not allow Pakistan to build big partnerships. Eventually, Pakistan set a 148-run target for the Rohit Sharma-led outfit in their first game of the 2022 Asia Cup.
In reply, the Men in Blue got off to a shaky start as they lost KL Rahul on the second ball itself. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma added 49 runs for the second wicket, but both batters were dismissed before the 10th over ended.
Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya then rescued the Indian team. Jadeja and Pandya stitched together a brilliant 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help India bring the equation down to seven runs required off six balls.
Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz conceded only one run and took Jadeja's wicket in the first three deliveries of the last over. However, Pandya kept his cool and smashed the winning six on the fourth ball.
After bagging the Man of the Match award, Pandya said:
"Even if we needed 15 off the last over I would have backed myself. I try to keep my mindset as clean as possible. I know the bowler is under more pressure than me (in the last over) and I have nothing to lose."
Indian stars reacted to the win in Asia Cup 2022 with posts on social media
Here's how the star Indian cricketers reacted to the team's win against Pakistan on social media:
Several former Indian cricketers also lauded the Men in Blue for their victory in Asia Cup 2022. Here are some of the top reactions:
क्या बात है भारतीय शेरों। शानदार जीत, और अदभुत प्रदर्शन। पाकिस्तान को हराकर भारतीय टीम ने एशिया कप में शानदार प्रदर्शन किया। क्रिकेट के लिए अच्छा दिन। भारत माता की जय।#IndiaVsPakistan https://t.co/tZM96qBE3Q
Wow wow wow ! Fantastic Hardik Pandya. Sab kuchh main karega. Brilliant performance by Bhuvi, good hand by Jaddu and Kohli as well.
Glad to see a close #INDvsPAK match after a long time. Mast maza aa gaya. https://t.co/HLNrnLRpK8
on a nail-biting win.
It came down to fitness of the fast bowlers while put under pressure, though both teams’ pacers bowled well upfront.
Crucial knock by Hardik to stay till the end & get us over the line & ably supported by @imjadeja & Virat.
Congrats 🇮🇳 on a nail-biting win.
#INDvsPAK https://t.co/dYhiaa3Omh
🏽 Here's video representation of Pakistan's performance through the game 
#INDvPAKSpecial Win from Team India, @hardikpandya7, @BhuviOfficial, @imjadeja all superb 👏🏽 Here's video representation of Pakistan's performance through the game 😄 #INDvPAK https://t.co/QuM4uDsaHd
🤩
Bahut mazaaa aaya 😊🤩😇
Jeet ki Hardik Badhaai 😇👏 #IndvPak #AsiaCup
Hardik finishes off in style. India win. Dubai goes wild #DoddaMathu #CricketTwitter #AsiaCup #INDvsPAK
Will India and Pakistan battle in the Asia Cup 2022 Final on September 11? Share your views in the comments below.