In the third match of Asia Cup 2023, Indian team faced Pakistan at Pallekele International Stadium. However, the match was called off due to interrupted rain and both teams got one point each in their. In this match, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first and posted a total of 266 runs before getting bundled in 48.5 overs. However, Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya(87) and Ishan Kishan(82) played superb for the team and helped to reach a decent total.
Meanwhile, the former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has lauded Ishan Kishan for his heroic innings. He said that Kishan kept himself calm and played a sensible knock against the Babar Azam and company. At one time, India was standing at 48/3 and then Kishan came to the crease.
The wicket-keeper batter formed a partnership of 138 runs in 141 balls with Hardik Pandya and took the team out of tough situations.
While talking on Star Sports, Hardik Pandya said,”Ishan Kishan showed how to play your first match against Pakistan, that you should play your own game, play smartly, and take the partnership forward. So he should get full marks for today’s match.”
About Kishan, he further added,”What did Ishan Kishan do? He said he has to hit boundaries as well, that he will take singles and doubles but also punish the bad balls. He played smartly, and played cricketing shots.”
“There was absolute clarity of mind about how he should play even though he was playing his first match against Pakistan. He showed the drives, hit boundaries through cover, and even hit a six over point. So he reacted to bad balls.”
Kaif also talked about the young Indian batter Shubman Gill and said that the batter played in a conservative way and he looked under a bit of pressure.
Kaif stated,”There is a lot of pressure. Gill was also playing for the first time. With what mindset did he come? He was absolutely reserved, he was in his shell and wasn’t playing shots as he wanted to play out the initial spell.”
Kaif said that both the youngsters have capabilities but Ishan Kishan won the contest by showing his temperament against Pakistan.
“If the ball was outside off-stump, he hit there only and didn’t play the pull with closed eyes. Gill and Ishan both came to play and Ishan Kishan won the contest.”
