Asia Cup : Rohit, Dhawan guide India to victory

Dubai:Both Shikhar Dhawan (114) and Rohit Sharma (unbeaten 111) added 210 for the opening partnership and helped India to win by nine wickets in the super-4 match at the Asia Cup here on Sunday.India have won two matches in Super-4 and it was fourth straight win in the tournament. With this big victory, India's final place has almost been fixed. India will play its last Super-4 match from Afghanistan.

Shikhar made his 15th century while captain Rohit made his 19th century and also completed 7000 runs in ODIs. Rohit took the full advantage of lifeline which he got twice in the match  and struck an unbeaten hundred, while Shikhar completed his century by hitting a four. Shikhar hit 16 fours and two sixes in his innings of 114 runs in 100 balls, while Rohit hit unbeaten 111 off 119 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes.  Rayudu remained unbeaten on 12 runs.

Earlier, Shoaib Malik scored 78 runs while Pakistani captain Sarfraz Ahmed scored 44 runs, and took  Pakistan to a score 237 for seven wickets.

Safarz was caught by Rohit Sharma as he was trying to hit over the extra-cover fielder. Kuldeep Yadav took Safaraz wickets.After opting to bat, Pakistan started poorly as their first wicket fell on a score of just 24 runs. Though original view was not out, but Skipper Rohit Sharma went for a review and Imam-ul-Haq departed for 10 runs.

Soon after, Imam-ul-Haq was sent to pavilion, next  Fakhar Zaman got trapped in front of the stumps by Kuldeep Yadav and with this crowd cheered and India got the big fish. He scored 31 runs.

It seemed that Pakistani fans might be recalling the previous defeats, as because all was not well, when Babar Azam was shown the way to pavilion. Yuzvendra Chahal did a great job by collecting the ball and threw it towards Ravindra Jadeja, who dislodged the bails.

Pakistan lost their third wicket for 58 runs.

After a couple of boundaries and sixes, which brought smile on the Pakistani fans, Jasprit Bumrah got rid of Shoaib Malik. He edged the good length delivery from Malik drifting down the leg side to hand an easy catch to MS Dhoni.  Bumrah took two wickets for 29 runs, Chahal took two wickets for 46 runs and Kuldeep took two wickets for 41 runs.

Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who took four wickets in the last match, failed to take any wicket and spent 50 runs.(UNI)