NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar praised India for their dominant victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. Akhtar said Rohit Sharma's team outperformed the Green Shirts in every department.
India secured a commanding 228-run triumph over Pakistan on Monday. This victory propelled India to the top of the Super Fours standings with 2 points from 1 match, while Pakistan stand third in the points table with 2 points from 2 matches. It was India's biggest margin of victory — by runs — over Pakistan.
After setting a formidable target of 357 runs, thanks to splendid centuries by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, India managed to dismiss Pakistan for just 128 runs, which marked their third-lowest total against India.
1/10:Double delight! Virat Kohli, KL Rahul fire impressive tons against Pakistan
AP
2/10:Kohli, Rahul shine
<p>Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit unbeaten centuries as India posted a mammoth 356/2 against Pakistan in a rain-hit Super Four match of the Asia Cup on Monday.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:Batters shine on reserve day
<p>India resumed on 147/2 in Colombo after rain ended play early on Sunday and pushed the 50-over game into a reserve day. <br /></p>AP
4/10:Double delight
<p>Rain again delayed the start but no overs were lost and Rahul (111) and Kohli (122 off 94) put on an unbeaten stand of 233 runs. <br /></p>AFP
5/10:A record stand
<p>The stand between Kohli and Rahul is now the highest partnership in the history of the ODI Asia Cup. The duo surpassed Mohd. Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed's 224-run stand against India in 2012.<br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:Rewriting record books
<p>The stand is now also the highest partnership for India vs Pakistan in ODIs for any wicket. Navjot Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar held the previous record of 231 that came in 1996 for the second wicket.<br /></p>Getty Images
7/10:Impressive comeback
<p>Rahul, who returned from an injury lay-off, raised his bat to celebrate his hundred and was hugged by Kohli, who soon brought up his own ton after surpassing 13,000 ODI runs.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:A cautious start
<p>Kohli and Rahul resumed cautiously on their overnight scores of eight and 17 before they took to the Pakistan attack with 100 runs in 102 balls.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:Attacking Rahul
<p>Rahul smashed 12 fours and two sixes, including whipping Shadab Khan over mid-wicket, in his 106-ball knock.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:Kohli blitz
<p>Kohli (9 fours, 3 sixes) finished the innings with a six down the ground against a bowling attack that lacked sting. <br /></p>AFP"It would be premature to dismiss Pakistan based on a single defeat," Akhtar said in a video posted on his X handle.
"Congratulations to India for their remarkable performance! India displayed exceptional prowess in both their batting and bowling. They left no stone unturned in dominating the match. India's bowling unit exhibited a relentless attitude, consistently taking wickets and dismissing the opposition early," he said.
"As a fast bowler, I found this to be an extremely encouraging sign. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj delivered brilliant spells, and Kuldeep's bowling was also exceptional," Akhtar, who played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs and 15 T20Is for Pakistan between 1997 and 2011, said.
India will now take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
