Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram lashed out the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side saying that the team had no plans against the Men in Blue and looked rattled. Opting to bat first at the Dubai International Stadium, Pakistan struggled at the crease, folding for an abysmal total of 162 runs. The only partnership that looked promising for Pakistan was the 83-run stand between Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik, before Kuldeep Yadav ripped it off with a deceptive googly. Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked three each as India had a target of 163 runs for themselves.
In reply, India started off with a strong 86-runs opening partnership with the stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma scoring a half-century off 39 deliveries. The final touch was laid by Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu as India breached the target with still 21 overs remaining and registering a comprehensive eight-wicket win.
Slamming Pakistan for scoring just 162 runs, Akram believed it was always difficult for pacers to defend the paltry total on a flat pitch.
“It was difficult to defend 163 on such a flat pitch. This was supposed to be Pakistan’s home ground. It was all set for them: win the toss, bat and put up the runs. I have been saying this for the last three weeks: Kuldeep Yadav will be the main threat. They did not even see what Kedar Jadhav was trying to bowl.
“Sometimes, you have to respect a good bowler and see off his spell. But they had no plans and they were flabbergasted. When you are facing a good bowler and he is bowling well, you need to see him off and look to score off the other bowlers,” Akram added.
