Watch: Ishan Kishan scored a match-turning half-century after India lost wickets early against Pakistan in today’s (September 2) Asia Cup clash, including an uppercut for six two balls after coming back on from a rain delay.
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India’s innings didn’t initially go to plan after they elected to bat in Pallekele, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer all out within the powerplay. Shubman Gill also fell cheaply and India were on the brink of capitulating at 66-4.
Kishan, however, played a mature innings alongside Hardik Pandya which ensured India reached a respectable total. While the top order had been bogged down by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kishan showed intent from early on. Having been at the crease for only eight balls before rain brought a brief interruption he came back out looking to score.
Brought on strike for the second ball back out in the middle after the delay, Kishan capitalised on a short, wide ball from Haris Rauf. He latched onto the length and reached for it wide above his head to flick the ball behind square into the off side. While the fielder on the third man boundary ran around to try and cut the ball off, it went all the way for six – the first maximum of the innings.
Kishan carried on from there on out, building a strong partnership with Pandya worth 138 runs and scoring a half-century off 54 balls. He was finally dismissed by Rauf for 84, having struggled running between the wickets for a couple of overs prior. However, he and Pandya had taken India from 66-4 to 204-5 and brought them back into the marquee fixture.
The innings was Kishan’s fourth consecutive half-century in ODI cricket and his first against Pakistan.
Watch Ishan Kishan’s six off Haris Rauf below
A 💪 partnership keeps the scoreboard ticking.@hardikpandya7 🤝 @ishankishan51 stitch together a solid 50+ stand, taking #TeamIndia over the 💯 run mark.
Will they guide 🇮🇳 to a competitive total?
Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#INDvPAK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/VuhbciS3lM
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 2, 2023