While kuldeep

Dubai International Cricket Stadium: India’s spin-heavy strategy paid off handsomely once again as Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded a clinical bowling display to restrict Pakistan to 127/9 in their Asia Cup Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Opting to field just one frontline seamer once again, India’s spin bowling trio of Kuldeep, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy stifled Pakistan by picking six wickets collectively. While Kuldeep took 3-18 and Axar picked 2-18, the duo operated at a miserly economy rate of 4.50, while Varun ended with 1-24.

The sluggish Dubai surface further aided India’s tweakers, whose control and variations left Pakistan struggling for momentum throughout their innings. While Sahibzada Farham top-scored with 40, a late flourish from Shaheen Shah Afridi, who hit an unbeaten 16-ball 33, gave some respectability to Pakistan’s total.