Pakistan set India 238-run target

Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik plays a shot as Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (R) looks on during the one day international (ODI) Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 23 September 2018. Photo: AFP
Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik plays a shot as Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (R) looks on during the one day international (ODI) Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 23 September 2018. Photo: AFP

Pakistan were once again short of a fighting total as they managed 237-7 in their 50 overs despite an attractive half century by Shoaib Malik in the Asia Cup game against India in Dubai on Sunday.

Malik scored a 90-ball 78 with four boundaries and two sixes, but India kept a tight check on Pakistan’s progress after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq (ten), Fakhar Zaman (31) and Babar Azam (run out for nine) in an unimpressive start to their innings before Malik and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed added 107 for the fourth wicket.

Sarfraz scored a slow 66-ball 44 with only two boundaries before he became one of two Kuldeep Yadav’s wicket who finished with 2-41.

Pakistan’s final over score depended on Malik who crucially fell in the 44th over, caught behind off a leg-side edge off Jasprit Bumrah.

Asif Ali smashed two sixes in his 21-ball 30 before he was bowled by leg-spinner Yuzvndra Chahal who took 2-38 in his nine overs.

Bumran finished with 2-29 in his ten overs.

India kept the same team which beat Bangladesh on Friday while Pakistan brought back paceman Mohammad Amir and fit again Shadab Khan in place of Usman Shinwari and Haris Sohail from the side which won against Afghanista, also on Friday.

The top two teams from the Super four will play the final on September 28 in Dubai.