Saim Ayub dismissed Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off successive balls. Picture: AFP
COLOMBO:
Pakistan captain Salman Agha urged perspective after a chastening defeat in opposition to India in a contest that by no means matched its blockbuster billing.
The much-hyped showdown between the South Asian neighbours, who engaged in a navy battle that almost snowballed right into a fully-fledged battle final 12 months, didn’t ignite as India racked up 175-7 after which returned to bundle out Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs.
The match itself handed with out flashpoints regardless of the tensions, however there was no shaking of palms between the rival captains on the toss. Each Suryakumar and Salman seemed grim when the coin was flipped and averted eye contact.
The temper was utterly totally different when the India captain spoke after the match on the R Premadasa Stadium.
“That is for India. We performed the identical model of cricket that we needed to play,” the batter mentioned, sporting a large grin.
Suryakumar heaped reward on opener Ishan Kishan whose speedy 77 common their victory.
“The way in which Ishan Kishan batted is identical as he did in our earlier video games and on the home circuit. Ishan thought outdoors the field and took duty within the powerplay.”
Participant of the match Kishan conceded it was not simply one other recreation for them given the tensions between the nations.
“India v Pakistan is a particular recreation for us and our nation,” Kishan mentioned.
“It’s a essential recreation. That they had good spinners and we tried to play good photographs. It offers us confidence going forward within the match.”
The match had been unsure after Pakistan had determined to boycott it in solidarity with Bangladesh, who refused to tour India over security considerations and had been changed by Scotland within the 20-team match.
The governing Worldwide Cricket Council held hectic behind-the-scenes discussions to salvage the fixture although it led to a lop-sided contest with India bettering their T20 World Cup report in opposition to Pakistan to 8-1.
Pakistan captain Salman felt his teammates ought to have accomplished higher regardless of the burden of expectation on their shoulders.
“In these video games the feelings are going to be excessive however we’ve performed sufficient cricket,” Salman mentioned.
“We have to get ourselves collectively and look to the sport in a couple of days’ time.
“It’s a must to see the massive image. We have to qualify for the Tremendous Eight now.”
Pakistan might want to beat Namibia of their remaining group recreation to qualify for the Tremendous Eight the place the arch-rivals could conflict once more.
