India dismissed five Pakistani batters by the 16-over mark. All the wickets came off short balls. Babar Azam and co were batting at 111 with four overs to go. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was brough back to the attack and the seamer managed to get rid of the dangerous Asif Ali with a leg-cutter. Pakistan were 111/6. 

Also read: Why Pakistan players are sporting black armbands in match against India

India employed a short-ball strategy to rattle Pakistan’s star-studded batting line-up. The first wicket came in the third over when Bhuvi managed to get Babar Azam’s top-edge with a well-directed bouncer. Arshdeep Singh took the catch. 

Also read: Asia Cup: Urvashi Rautela in stands as Rishabh Pant misses India vs Pakistan

In the sixth over, Avesh Khan took Fakhar Zaman by surprise by following up on a string of full balls with a short one. The delivery was pitched outside off and the Pakistan batter’s attempted cut short managed to get a faint edge. Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik took the catch. 

Pakistan were reduced to 43/2 after the powerplay. 

Just when, at the 12th over mark, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed were attempting to break all shackles, Hardik Pandya came up with his short ball special. 

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: As Pakistan openers fall vs India, Twitter brings in Noida twin towers comparison

The Indian all-rounder bowled a 142 kmph bouncer to Ahmed. A faint edge carried to Karthik and Pakistan lost an explosive batter for 28 runs. Pandya, in his next over, hit the deck to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan. The Pak opener dangled his bat to periscope the short ball over the cordon. However, he mistimed it for Avesh Khan to take a catch at third man. 

Pandya’s short ball got rid of Khushdil Shah on two runs. The 28-year-old finished with figures of 25/3 in four overs. 

Also read: The Avesh Khan moment in power play as Pakistan batted

Arshdeep Singh dismissed Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah fell to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

Pakistan were 128/9 after 19 overs. Bhuvi finished with figures of four wickets. Babar and co finished the innings at 147 runs.