PAK VS IND - Super Fours, 3rd Match, Asia Cup, 2023

So more than 32 hours since the first ball of this game was bowled, we can finally close this chapter. For all the hype around this clash and the special inclusion of the reserve day, this game proved to be a one-sided affair. Plenty of work to be done for Pakistan as even their net run rate takes a big hit, for India a quick turnaround as they will be back at this venue tomorrow afternoon. See you then, for now this is Saurabh Shankar signing off on behalf of Akshay Maanay and Harish.

Our #FantasyHandbook experts picked Kuldeep Yadav as the differential player for this clash. And he proved to be the highest points giver. How did you fare with your team? Subscribe to #CricbuzzPlus to get such exclusive tips for Fantasy cricket...

Most PoTM award for India in ODI Asia Cup
4 - Virat Kohli*
3 - Suresh Raina
3 - Navjot Singh Sidhu

Virat Kohli | Player of the Match: I was going to ask you to keep the interview short, I'm very tired. I'm always prepared to help the team in different ways. Today, KL got a great start and my job was just to rotate strike. I take a lot of pride on trying to push for easy runs, pushing for a double is as easy as they come. (On the reverse ramp boundary) Because I crossed the 100, there was a bit of respect for that shot. I don't play shots like that and I looked very bad playing it. Me and KL are both conventional cricketers, we don't try fancy stuff but we can get a lot of purchase through good cricket shots. Great partnership and good signs for Indian cricket. Very happy for him to come back to ODI cricket in that manner. (On playing again tomorrow) I was pushing for those runs and happy for it, but I was thinking I need to play at 3 pm tomorrow. Luckily, we are Test players, I've played over a 100 Tests so I know how to come back and play the next day. It was really humid out there, I'm 35 in November so I need to be taking care of that recovery as well (chuckles). A big shout out to the groundsmen from my side, I think they did a fabulous job.

Rohit Sharma | India Captain: We just wanted to get out on the park, to get some game time. Lot of guys haven't had that. That could only happen thanks to a great effort from the groundsmen. I know how tough it is to cover and remove covers from the whole ground. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank them. (On batting) Fantastic performance, right from yesterday. When we started, we knew the wicket was good and we had to adjust with the rain, the two experienced (Kohli an Rahul) guys we knew they'd take time to get their eye in and then we can get going. (On Bumrah) Looked good, he swung it both ways and he's worked really hard for the last 8-10 months. Bumrah is only 27, for him to miss games isn't ideal but the way he bowled showed what he is all about. Looking at how we batted, there were lots of positives with the openers and then Virat and KL. Virat's innings was brilliantly paced. And then KL, to get back from injury and then to know 5 minutes before the toss he's playing, to play that way shows the mindset of the player.

Stats dug up by Shashikant Singh

Biggest victory for India in ODIs (in runs)
317 vs Sri Lanka, Trivandrum, 2023*
257 vs Bermuda, Port of Spain, 2007
256 vs Hongkong, Karachi, 2008
228 vs Pakistan, Colombo (RPS), 2023*

Biggest defeat for Pakistan in ODIs (in runs):
234  vs Sri Lanka, Lahore, 2009
228 vs India, Colombo (RPS), 2023*
224 vs Australia, Nairobi, 2002
198 vs England, Nottingham, 1992

Biggest win margin in ODI Asia Cup
256 runs  - IND vs HK, Karachi, 2008
238 runs - PAK vs NEP, Multan, 2023
233 runs - PAK vs BAN, Dhaka, 2000
228 runs - IND vs PAK, Colombo (RPS), today*

- This is also the biggest win margin in term of runs at Colombo (RPS) in ODIs.

Lowest team totals for Pakistan vs India in ODIs
87 at Sharjah, 1985
116 at Toronto, 1997
128 at Colombo (RPS), today*
134 at Sharjah, 1984

Biggest win margin for India vs Pakistan in ODIs
228 runs at Colombo (RPS), today*
140 runs at Mirpur, 2008
124 runs at Birmingham, 2017

Best ODI figures by Indian spinner vs Pakistan
5/21 - Arshad Ayub, Dhaka, 1988
5/50 - Sachin Tendulkar, Kochi, 2005
5/25 - Kuldeep Yadav, Colombo (RPS), today*
4/12 - Anil Kumble, Toronto, 1996

Babar Azam | Pakistan captain: Weather was not in our hands but we tried our best. We were not up to the mark with our batting and bowling. They (Indian openers) had plans for our bowlers and started well and that was followed up by Virat and Rahul. Jasprit and Siraj bowled well in the first 10 overs and swung the ball both ways, but our batting was not up to the mark.

Kuldeep Yadav: Very happy at the moment. It is the consistency from the last one and half years, I have got my rhythm back and am enjoying my bowling. It is good to get five wickets, I am just thinking about bowling on a good length. It is amazing to get 5 wickets in ODIs or Tests. I have my plans when playing against the top sides. I have played against them (Pakistan) in 2019 and know their strengths, but I bowled to my strengths. I am focusing on bowling wicket to wicket, good sides try to sweep or slog sweep or sweep and give me a chance to get wickets.

22:56 Local Time, 17:26 GMT, 22:56 IST: The perfect game for Team India!! After heartbreak in two 'reserve day' games in the past, they have absolutely pummelled their opponents today. Their openers played aggressively and got fifties, then number 3 and 4 scored emphatic hundreds. The much famed Pakistani pace attack was made to look mediocre, as Rahul returned to ODI cricket with a bang, while Kohli notched up number 47. In the second innings, we saw a surreal display of swing bowling by a returning Bumrah and an ever consistent Siraj. They troubled both edges and produced many jaffas, but the ball of the match came from Hardik Pandya to knock over an in-form Babar. That ball will be replayed and make its way to social media with flashy edits for a long, long time. Then Shardul produced a peach to dismiss Rizwan, and then came the Kuldeep Yadav show. He extracted a lot out of this surface which till then seemed like a pacer's paradise, turning the ball both ways at ease to end with figures of 5/25. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf and Naseem didn't come out to bat, and their potential injuries would be big concerns. Plenty to work on for Babar. For India, this was everything they could dream of with Rohit, Gill, Rahul, Kohli, Bumrah, Shardul, Kuldeep all playing crucial roles, with a supporting performance from Shreyas Iyer's back as well... Over to the presentations now!

Kuldeep Yadav to Faheem Ashraf, out Bowled!! Fifer for Kuldeep!! Length ball that skids on again, goes through the defence of Faheem Ashraf who went onto his backfoot and tried to work it leg side. Looks like that will be the game, Naseem and Haris went off while fielding with niggles and they aren't coming out to bat. Faheem Ashraf b Kuldeep Yadav 4(12)

Kuldeep Yadav to Faheem Ashraf, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Kuldeep Yadav to Faheem Ashraf, no run, was the one that turned back in. Skids through after pitching and strikes Ashraf on the back pad as he went back. A loud appeal for LBW but umpire unmoved...

Kuldeep Yadav to Faheem Ashraf, no run, pitched up on middle, defended

Kuldeep Yadav to Shaheen Afridi, 1 run, flat delivery on off, slapped over the head of Kuldeep towards long-off