The arch-rivals India and Pakistan launched their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on Sunday (August 28). Riding on brilliant spells from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya, India bowlers ripped through Pakistan's batting order to restrict them to just 147 after opting to bowl first.
In reply, India's star opening duo, skipper Rohit Sharma and vice captain KL Rahul, took to crease and started India's chase. But the 19-year-old Naseem Shah, who was making his T20I debut, hit back in style and sent Rahul on a golden duck on the very third ball of the first over.
It did not look like Naseem was making his debut for Pakistan at the highest level in a high-octane match as he bowled a terrific first over.
KL Rahul, who had returned from a long injury layoff in India's tour of Zimbabwe earlier this month, was beaten by pace as he dragged one onto his stumps as early as the first delivery he played. Rahul looked gutted as Naseem began celebrating the big blow.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma decided to chase after winning the toss and the bowlers, led by Hardik, set up the game nicely for India.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26) was at his skilful best and his four wicket haul included the prized scalp of Babar Azam (10). However, Hardik's envious figures of 3 for 25 in four overs, during the middle phase, triggered a Pakistani batting collapse.
Young seamer Arshdeep Singh also returned decent figures of 2/33 in his first ever appearance in an Indo-Pak clash as all 10 wickets were snapped by speed merchants, a first for India in shortest version. The first over of the game bowled by Bhuvneshwar was a rather eventful one as it included two DRS calls going in favour of Mohammad Rizwan (43 off 42) and a straight drive from Babar.
The umpire adjudged Rizwan leg before wicket off second delivery but ball tracking showed it was going over the stumps.
Four balls later the Indians thought Rizwan got a faint edge on way to the wicketkeeper but the 'ultra edge' showed a flat-line on review.
There was not much movement around for both Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep Singh as they managed to keep things tight in their two over opening spell.
Babar straught drove Arshdeep in the second over, showing the sublime touch he has been in over the past 12 months.
Bhuvneshwar, however, surprised the Pakistan skipper with a bouncer in his second over and he went for the pull only to top edge to Arshdeep at short fine leg.
