In a historic moment in Asia Cup cricket history, Pakistan’s fast bowlers accomplished an extraordinary feat during their match against arch-rivals India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2, 2023.
Pakistan, having lost the toss, was invited to field first, and their fast bowler, known as the ‘Eagle,’ Shaheen Afridi, showcased his skills by claiming early wickets for his team. Initially, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill appeared comfortable at the crease against Pakistan’s pacers. However, the dynamics of the game shifted after a rain delay.
Shaheen Afridi, in particular, posed a significant threat after the rain interruption. He dismissed Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, sending them back to the pavilion with scores of 11 and 4, respectively. Haris Rauf also joined the wicket-taking spree by removing Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, putting India in a precarious position at 4-66.
Subsequently, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan teamed up to orchestrate India’s recovery. Both batsmen exhibited remarkable resilience against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack, contributing a vital 138-run partnership.
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However, the duo of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf once again tilted the game in Pakistan’s favor. They swiftly dismissed Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan, causing India’s innings to crumble from 204/4 to 266/10.
Shaheen Afridi secured four wickets, while Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah claimed three wickets each. This remarkable performance marked the first instance in the history of the Asia Cup (ODI) where all 10 wickets were taken by fast bowlers.
Unfortunately, the match between the India National Cricket Team and the Pakistan National Cricket Team ended without a result due to rain interfering and forcing the game to be called off.