Team India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling contest by five wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on ꦉSunday.

Chasing 148, India had a terrible start as they lost opener KL Rahul in the very first over for a golden duck. Then, two veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, joined hands to steady the ship.

The duo added 50 runs for the second wicket before Pakistan yet again came back in the game, removing both Rohit and Kohli in quick successions. Soon, Suryakumar Yadav ꦺwas also dismissed as India were reduced to 89/4 in 14.2 over🌼s.

Before Pakistan bowlers could capitalise further, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya partnered to calm things down for India. The pair stitched a match-winning 52-run stand to take the game to the final over, where Jadeja got dismissed for a well-made 35. Hardik (33 no), however, kept his end alive and smashed a brilliant six to finish ♏the game in grand style.

Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pandya shined with the ball to dominate the proceedings right from the word go. Bhuvneshwar (4/26) picked up a four-wicket haul as he completely outclassed the Pakistan batters, while Hardik (3/25) launched h🌱is short-balls barrages to bag three scalps under his kitty.

Young star Arshdeep Singh also took two wickets while conceding 33 runs in 3.5 overs. For Pakistan, opener Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 43 from 42 balls, ꦓin💛cluding five boundaries.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

India seal a tense win in Dubai to beat Pakistan 🙌🏻 | | �▨� Scorecard:

— ICC (@ICC)

put up a spectacular all-round performance in today🙈’s match. The team has display♔ed superb skill and grit. Congratulations to them on the victory.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

What a brilliantꦅ per🍨formance by the Indian bowlers. Kudos to you for such a splendid game 🇮🇳

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)

Yes! We won 🇮🇳 Great display of batting by Jadeja, Virat⭕ and Hardik. That winning six by Hardik was treat to watch.

— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)

Proper Cricket g⭕ame that! Tricky wicket with two really good bowling attacks. Congrats India and well 🌌done on 100th Virat👏👏🎉

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17)

Hardik Pandya. That’s the tweet.

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)

Ice man
Rather important member of the India T20 side.

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa)

Geez… talk about a tight finish…

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)

Just a Hardik Pandya appreciation tweet! 🫶 |

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans)

Calm as ever, and with incredible skill, Hardik Pandya takes India home. In th♚is form, few better than him in this format.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)

Hardik Pandya. Take a bow. 🙌💙

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)

A fit Hardik Pandya is 24 carat Gold. Key t♋o India’s fortunes in thℱis format.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)

//twitter.com/FarziCricketer/sta🌞tus/156389🍸3845997555713

What a fightback by Pakistan's bowling unit. India came out stronger in the end. What a match!!

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the first Indian pacer to take multiple 4+ wicket hauls in men's T20Is in the same year.

4/13 v South Africa
4/26 v Pakistan

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)

Bhuvneshwar K💧umar against Pakistani openers over the years.🦹

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire)

What a world class spell by Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 4/26 against arch rivals Pakistan in the opening game of Asia Cup. What an asset Bhuvi is to team India.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Hardik is in such a great mental space right now. Calm and delivering thr🐬ough top notch performances. Huge for India.

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar)

What a spell by Hardik Pandya, one of the MVPs in limited oversꩵ in world cricket, 3 for just 25 runs from 4 overs against Pakistan.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

GAME OVER !

Congratulations

— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)

A fantastic game of cricket which went right down to the༒ end and was played in great spirit

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)