Asia Cup: India thrash Pakistan by 228 runs, record biggest win vs PAK in ODI history

IND vs PAK: Rohit Sharma and Co. did bring their dominant best to R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo as they beat the number 1 ranked ODI side Pakistan by a mammoth 228 runs. Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled the Pakistan batters as he claimed a fifer by conceding just 25 runs in 8 overs. India will now take on Sri Lanka in their next Super 4s clash on September 11, 2023.

3 things you need to know:

• India's first game in Asia Cup 2023 was called off due to persistent rains
• India will play their World Cup game against Pakistan on October 14, 2023
• Virat Kohli scored his 47th ODI century

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Kuldeep Yadav's spin wizardry stuns Pakistan

The co-hosts of Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan were asked to chase down a mammoth 356 runs against a mighty Indian bowling attack considering the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Md. Siraj who did plenty of damage to their top order. But Kuldeep Yadav had some other plans. The Delhi Capitals spinner has been named in India's provisional World Cup squad and he proved his credentials by dismissing half of the Pakistan side in the eight overs that he bowled. Kuldeep ended up dismissing Pakistan batters like Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf. Seamers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah didn't come out to bat due to injury issues.

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IND vs PAK: An age-old rivalry hit by Colombo rains

It is almost fascinating how the legend of the India vs. Pakistan rivalry has grown over the years and has been passed on to generations. This rivalry was reignited when India pulled a memorable victory against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup that was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This time around it was different. Unfortunately for India and Pakistan, their group-stage match of Asia Cup 2023 was called off due to rain. When they returned to the Super 4s stage to take on each other, it was again the rains that played a spoilsport. When India returned to bat against Pakistan on the second day, both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul brought their best to the table and registered the highest partnership in the history of the ODI Asia Cup.