We are back for the all-important run chase!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Well then, as it is seen, once the ball gets older, it becomes increasingly harder to score runs, especially for the new batters. So it will be interesting to see how Rizwan shuffles his pace attack with only one frontline spinner and two part-timers in the mix. In a high-stakes clash like this, a target of 242 might just play like 260 or a bit more, given the pressure and intensity of the contest. With the pitch expected to slow down further, it will be a challenging chase for India. So, whi

Saud Shakeel is in for a chat. He feels that he got out at the wrong time and should have spent more time in the middle. Adds that he wanted to take a chance but it did not come off for him. Shares that the ball wasn't coming onto the bat early on. Further says that the pitch is on the slower side. Mentions that early wickets will be key for them.

At one point, it seemed Pakistan were on track to push past 270, which, surely could have been a very challenging total with Rizwan and Shakeel looking solid in the middle. But those wickets came as a much-needed spark for India, just as the death overs loomed and two new batters stepped in. Salman Agha and Khushdil focused on working the singles, building a platform for a strong finish, but the duo still had plenty of work to do. However, they kept losing one too many in that phase and India ju

India went wicketless for nearly 25 overs, mirroring their struggle against Bangladesh where the spinners couldn’t break through. Pakistan, with eight wickets in hand and a good bit of batting still to follow, was in control as Shakeel reached his fifty and Rizwan closed in on his milestone. Rizwan was dropped once however, a lapse in concentration from him proved costly sooner, opening the door for India. Hardik, Jadeja, and Axar capitalized, each striking once to dismantle Pakistan’s middl

With two fresh batters at the crease, Pakistan entered a rebuilding phase, but the scoring rate slowed as dot balls piled up. Rizwan and Shakeel looked to steady the innings but struggled to rotate the strike consistently, with boundaries coming only occasionally. Hardik, bowling with excellent rhythm, kept the pressure on, limiting Pakistan to just 27 runs in the next ten overs without losing a wicket. As the game progressed, Jadeja and Kuldeep rushed through their overs, tightening the screws

Pakistan’s openers began cautiously, negotiating the early movement while picking up timely boundaries. India’s pace duo of Shami and Rana, though slightly erratic, consistently challenged the edges. Babar Azam looked dangerous with his intent and early boundaries but fell to a stunning delivery from Hardik Pandya, while Imam-ul-Haq’s resistance ended with a poor run-out. By the Powerplay, things were brought to balance as Pakistan were 52/2, with India deploying five bowlers to keep the p

Excellent death-over bowling from Harshit Rana this. Out of the 10 balls he bowled in these last five overs or so, he conceded just 5 runs off it with a wicket. Barring Shami going for a 14-run over, this has been a tight finish from the Indians. At the pitch report, Ian Bishop and Sunil Gavaskar, both were off the opinion that any total around or above 270 would be a good defending one. So, fair to say that Pakistan would feel they are 20-25 runs short here.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, ! CAUGHT! Up, up, but not long enough! The pressure was on after those dot balls and in the end, Khushdil Shah has been undone by some smart bowling from Harshit Rana.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, This is excellent bowling from Harshit Rana and three dot balls to begin the final over. Slower one, bowled well full and just around off. Khushdil is undone by the length and fails to get a bat on it.

Abrar Ahmed is the last batter for Pakistan. Harshit Rana (7-0-30-0) will bowl the final over.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Doesn't take the single!

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Full and at the stumps, slower again, Khushdil Shah goes for the slog sweep but is undone by the lack of pace again and toe-ends it onto the off side.

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, ! RUN OUT! They just had to push or two there but it wasn't quite there for the taking.

Is Rauf short of his ground?

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, Goes for the toe-crushing yorker at 140.4 clicks and nails it. Haris Rauf makes room to swing across the line but is beaten and the ball goes between the leg stump and the pads.

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, ! Right off the screws and that one has sailed into the crowd! An attacking short ball, angled in at the batter but Haris Rauf just swings at it and gets a hold of it as the ball clears deep square leg for a biggie. 13 off the over already.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Banged in on a hard length around middle and leg, Khushdil makes room and hammers it flat and on the bounce to long on for just a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Oh, that's been hit hard but straight at the bowler!

Mohammad Shami (7-0-29-0) will bowl the penultimate over.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, ! Khushdil Shah finally gets one away! Attempted slower one from around the stumps, bowed a bit too short though, Khushdil swivels and pulls it flat behind deep square leg for a biggie.

Harshit Rana to Haris Rauf, Oh, deary me! Khushdil Shah denies the run thinking just the single is on and wants to keep strike but they could have well got a couple of runs there, so, that's a bit sloppy. Fuller in length and angled into the pads, Rauf flicks it nicely and to the right of Shubman Gill at deep square leg.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Khushdil can't quite get a hold of the big shots at the moment. Another one bowled at just around 111 clicks and floated up around off, Khushdil sits down to heave but miscues it badly down to long off for just one more.

Harshit Rana to Haris Rauf, A short ball around off, angling it back in, Haris Rauf does well to hang back and just angle it down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Nicely bowled! Pace-off again, a bit full and around off, Khushdil swings hard across the line but gets it off the cue end of the bat towards cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Ouch, that must have hurt! Full and straight now, Khushdil leans on and punches it straight back at Harshit. The bowler can't get out of the way and the ball stings the fingers before going down to long on and the batters hustle back for two runs.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Pitched up in the channel around off, slower too, Khushdil Shah looks to pick it up and slog across the line but only gets an inside edge down to the keeper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Haris Rauf, Flatter delivery, bowled on a length on off and this one slides back in, Rauf plays it off the back foot and gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Kuldeep Yadav to Haris Rauf, A bit fuller and darted into the batter, Haris Rauf leans on and blocks it off.

Haris Rauf comes out to bat.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, ! CAUGHT! Chipped to long off and Kuldeep Yadav gets his third wicket!

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Drops it short again around leg, Naseem Shah is taken aback a bit and gloves it down fine towards fine leg and picks up a couple of runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Drags the length back again and angles it across the right-hander, Naseem punches it from the crease but finds the fielder at covers.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Bowled flat and short on off, swatted away off the back foot down to long on for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Slower one, bowled full and around off, Khushdil pushes it away square on the off side and to the right of covers for one more. 7 off that over.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Length ball, angling it into the pads, clipped away firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, These two keep pinching the singles! Full and around off, angling away, Khushdil hangs back and squeezes it away to short third for a quick single.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Leg bye.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Bowled well short and outside off, Naseem Shah gets up on the toes and dabs it down wide of deep third for a couple of easy runs.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Shami returns to the attack and starts from around the wicket. This is pitched up outside off, angling in, Khushdil gets on the front foot and miscues the drive to mid off for a quick single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Hit hard but straight to the man! Tossed up, full and on off, Khushdil drills it along the ground to long off for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, A direct hit and that could have been curtains for Naseem Shah! Around off, pushed away to extra cover and the batters et off for the single. Shreyas Iyer picks up the ball and throws the ball a bit wide of the stumps at the bowler's end.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Nicely played by Naseem! Flighted ball, full and on middle, Naseem just backs away before leaning on and strokes it straight back past the bowler for a couple of runs as the fielder at long off cuts it off to his right.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Drops it short no around middle, turning in, Khushdil works it away around the corner for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, The scrambled-seam delivery, comes out flat and from the front of the hand. Lands on off and goes across the batter, beating the outside edge.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Floated up full and around off, pushed away on the full and down to long off for a single.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Short delivery now, around off, Naseem Shah gets upright and dabs it away from the body and down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Just stopping on the batter that one. Fullish length around off, Naseem Shah leans on to blocks but the ball comes late off the deck and hits the sticker of the blade.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Good length again in the channel, Naseem gets nicely forward this time and blocks it to covers.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, ! Edged away! On a good length and on off, gets this one to just nip away off the seam, Naseem stays compact and plays it late but gets an outside edge wide of the keeper and the ball rolls into the deep third fence.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Over the wicket now for the right-hander, bowled a bit slower and into the deck outside off. Naseem Shah hangs back and reaches out to have a poke but is beaten.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Pitches it up around off and angles it well in, Khushdil Shah clips it around the corner for a single.

Change.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, No hat-trick! Kuldeep Yadav bowls this one a bit too short and around off, Naseem Shah is watchful and stays on the back foot before dabbing it down nicely and well wide of second slip as well.

Naseem Shah takes the guard at number 9 and will face the HAT TRICK ball. Two slips lurking behind him.

Kuldeep Yadav to Shaheen Afridi, ! LBW! Two in two for Kuldeep! Or is it? That seemed fairly adjacent but Shaheen Afridi has reviewed it right away.

Shaheen Afridi comes out to the middle now. Two left-handers at the crease.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, ! CAUGHT! Oh, Ravindra Jadeja slips but manages to hang on and what a timely wicket for India here.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, One more and the 200 comes up for Pakistan. Floated up short and outside off, turning away, Shah reaches out and cuts it just behind point for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Just a tad short and turning back into the stumps, enough time for Salman to rock back and punch it through covers for another single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, On a length, on middle and sliding on, worked away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Good length around middle, Salman Agha gets right behind the line and defends it with a dead bat.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Sees the batter advancing and bowls it shorter at the body, Shah misses the flick and gets it off the pads behind point. They get a leg bye.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, ! Seemed to have got it off the toe end of the bat but gets enough power on it, the first six of the game!

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Quick and flat at the stumps, Khushdil Shah defends it from the crease.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Floated up, fuller and around off, Salman Agha leans across and strokes it on the full through extra cover for one more.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Nicely bowled! Full and fired in at the stumps, Khushdil Shah looks to clear the front leg but adjusts and just digs it out wide of the bowler and down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Bowled flat and angled onto middle and leg, Shah works it off the back foot and wide of mid-wicket for another single. These two just milking the runs now to try and set up a big finish.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Nagging length, floated up around off, Salman taps it in front of point and picks up another easy single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Short, on middle and leg, turns away and sits up, Shah presses back and punches it past the diving bowler down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Half a shout for LBW but turned down. Seemed to be going down leg but at the last second, Rohit Sharma has reviewed it. Flatter delivery again from Kuldeep, bowled on a length and angled into leg. Khushdil Shah goes down on one knee and looks to play the reverse sweep fine but misses and gets hit on the pads. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows wickets as umpire's call. It stays NOT but much closer than it looked live.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Just drags the length back, slower too, Salman Agha brings out the reverse but gets a top edge in front of short third for a quick single.

Powerplay 3! Into the final 10 overs we go then and the game is nicely poised. Also, India can now have an extra boundary-rider till the end of this innings. Also, a change in bowling. Kuldeep Yadav returns into the attack. He is 5-0-23-0 so far.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Flatter delivery, darts it in full and into the legs, Khushdil Shah clips it away wide of mid on fn into the deep for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Tossed up, on middle, Agha gets nice and low and sweeps it to the right of deep square leg. Shubman Gill gets around in the deep to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, No run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, No run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Uppish but safe! Drags the length back and the line is around off, Agha looks to drive it on the up but the ball stops on him. Agha hits it uppishly but well wide of cover to his right for a single.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Shorter and quicker, on the pads, Khushdil Shah flicks it behind square on the leg side for another single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Axar slides onto the pads, full in length, Agha tickles it fine to the right of short fine leg for a brace. Hardik Pandya gives it a chase and mops it up.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Quicker through the air, turning into the pads, Khushdil Shah gets his bat out in front of the front pad and stabs it down on the leg side.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Short and on off, Shah hangs back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Shorter and slower, on middle, Shah hangs back and works it with the turn to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Fired in, on a nagging length, on the pads, Khushdil Shah gets his hands out in front and it is more of a reverse slap. Hits it through covers and Shreyas Iyer gives it a chase. Puts a slide in to save a run for his side. Three runs taken.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, This is full, around off, Agha gets forward and drives it to the left of cover for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Bowled from slightly wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, full and on off, Agha gets a good stride in and pushes it through covers for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Drifting into the pads, Agha flicks this full delivery straight to mid-wicket.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Back to bowling it flat and short, on middle, Shah camps back and turns it through square leg for one.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Slows it down and this is a bit fuller, on off, Khushdil Shah gets on the front foot to defend.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, On off, on a nagging length, Shah hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Attacking the front pad, on the fuller side, Khushdil plants his front foot ahead and clips it to short fine leg.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Flatter and shorter, on off, Shah hangs back and drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Agha is halfway down the track for the run before being sent back by Shah and rightly so.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, Keeps it short, on off, Agha makes room and pats it through point for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, 1 run.

Khushdil Shah walks out to bat with Pakistan in a spot of bother.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tayyab Tahir, ! CLEANED HIM UP! The bowling change works like a charm for India! Ravindra Jadeja strikes with his first ball on his return to the attack. Starts from around the wicket and spears it in, short and on off and middle, Tahir stays leg side of the ball and takes the risk of guiding it behind square on the off side from the stumps. Tries to open the bat face to access that area and ends up playing inside the line of the ball as the ball straightens a touch

Ravindra Jadeja (5-0-31-0) is brought back into the attack.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Fires it in, flat and short, on middle and leg, Tayyab nudges it through square leg for one more run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Attacking the off stump, on a length, Agha dabs it in front of point for a quick single.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Darted into the pads, Agha lunges and eases the drive to long on for one more.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Tossed up, on off, Tahir presses forward and knocks it to long off for one.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Pushed through from around the wicket, short and on off, Tahir hangs back and pushes it to cover.

Hardik Pandya to Tayyab Tahir, Back of a length, just outside off, Tayyab works it to deep third for a single. 

Tayyab Tahir walks out at number 6 for Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, ! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Hardik Pandya gets his second wicket and the adventurous Saud Shakeel departs. Pakistan has now lost both the set batters in the span of just nine deliveries and India is back in the hunt massively.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, around off, a slower one, at 118.5 kph, Saud Shakeel pinches it to backward point. But with Jadeja stationed there, and moving forward quickly, the batters do not risk a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, ! Beautifully played! Short and on the body, Saud Shakeel positions himself well and swivels to pull it through deep square leg for a boundary.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Low full toss, just outside off, clipped across to mid-wicket.

Hardik Pandya to Salman Agha, Length and outside off, Salman hits it down the deep third region for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Nice and full, on middle, driven to long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, AERIAL AND ! Kuldeep is the culprit now! Could have been two in the over for Axar had Kuldeep been a bit quicker on the ball.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Off the mark, is Agha! Tossed up full outside off, Salman drives it to long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Full on off, blocked off.

Salman Agha is in next.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, ! b Axar Patel.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, IN THE AIR AND ! Harshit Rana spills an important catch and hands on the heads for India!

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Seeing Rizwan jumping down the track, Hardik pulls the length back and bowls on the bodyline. Mohammad Rizwan though, does well to pull it away to deep square leg and takes a couple of runs. However, a better throw from Shreyas Iyer could have been very close. Also, this partnership now moves past the 100-run mark.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Slower one, on the leg stump line, Saud Shakeel tickles this full ball to deep fine for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Attacks the pads, does Hardik, on a length, Mohammad Rizwan looks to tuck it but misses and the ball is deflected off the thigh pad to square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Hones in an off-cutter, outside off on a length. It lands and stays low, Mohammad Rizwan misses to slash it away due to the lack of bounce.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Pitched fuller on leg, clipped across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, WIDE! Over-the-head-bumper from Hardik. Saud lets it pass over. Wide given.

Another delay in proceedings and it seems a few of the players are struggling with the heat. The Pakistan team physio is out and Shreyas Iyer can also be seen lying on his stomach and getting some massage to his lower back. It is about 10 degrees Celsius hotter than the other day when India played Bangladesh. The humidity is also high and there's no wind.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, around off, Saud Shakeel taps it to backward point for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Flat and quick, on middle and full. Pushed across to mid-wicket by Shakeel.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Drag-down on leg, Saud Shakeel hangs back and glances it toward deep square leg for a couple of quick runs.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and drifting on leg, Rizwan gets forward and pushes it in front of mid on and rushes through for a quick single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, slanting outside off, on a length, cut away to deep point for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Arm ball, full and on middle, Saud leans and pushes it back to Axar.

DRINKS BREAK! A similar story with the ball for India from the last game and they just aren't able to pick up wickets through the middle phase, allowing partnerships to foster. The pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel started sluggishly as the Indian bowlers hardly gave anything away but in the last 5-6 overs, they have started to attack, especially the spinners and laid the foundation for a big finish. The wicket looks better from the previous game in Dubai but India do need a few wickets

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, FIFTY FOR SAUD SHAKEEL! His fourth in the ODIs! An inning of patience and grit! Slants it on the middle, does Jadeja, on a length, Saud Shakeel gets behind the line of the ball and tucks it across through mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Good length, around off, Rizwan hangs back and punches it through cover for one more.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Full and on middle and leg, Saud flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, ! Clever, very clever! Overpitched quicker one from Jadeja, on leg, Saud Shakeel sits down and executes the paddle sweep, fine of short fine for a boundary. Saud moves to 48 and the partnership moves to 87 between these two.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Quicker, shorter, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan rocks back and turns it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Another appeal for LBW but Axar does not look overly excited! Patel serves it full and straight, at the stumps, Saud premeditates as he goes for the reverse. The ball is a bit too full for the shot and it sneaks under his bat to catch him on the front pad. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball pitched outside leg, so, a wise decision from India not to take the review.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowled with a round-arm action, on a nagging length, on middle, Rizwan tucks it wide of mid-wicket and collects one more single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Sliding across, short and on off, Shakeel punches it past cover and crosses over.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Slanting into the pads, Rizwan nudges it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Drops it short, on off, Rizwan presses back and is late on the cut. Ends up chopping it down in front of point.

So, just one over burst for Shami. Spin is back in tandem from the other end. Axar Patel (3-0-15-0) back for another spell.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, A loud shout for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved! Ravindra Jadeja looks interested but he gets no support from KL Rahul behind the stumps and India do not take the review. Fired in, on a length, on middle and leg, Saud walks a bit too far across his stumps to help it away. He misses as he gets beaten on the inside edge and gets rapped on the front pad. This was bowled from around the wicket and the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Coming in with the angle from around the wicket, short and on middle, Rizwan camps back and drops it in the vacant mid-wicket region for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Attacking the front pad, full in length, Saud wrists it through square leg for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushes it through, short and flat, on off, Rizwan pats it with an angled bat to the left of cover. Saud hesitates at first but eventually decides to cross and completes the single comfortably.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Sprayed on the pads, on a nagging length, Shakeel flicks it past mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Short and around off, Rizwan stays leg side of the ball and punches it to deep point for one.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Shami bends his back and digs it in short, on off, Saud gets on his toes and rides the bounce. Controls the pull and plays it along the ground to the left of deep square leg for two runs more.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Another direct hit but Rizwan is well in! Honing in at the stumps, on the fuller side, Rizwan whips it towards mid on and scampers across for a quick single. Kuldeep scores a direct hit at the bowling end but Rizwan makes it in with ease by sliding his bat.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, With an upright seam and there is a hint of away nibble, on off, on a good length, Rizwan plays it with a straight bat back to Shami.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, From around the wicket to the left-hander and this is bowled from wide of the crease, on a length, outside off, Saud opens the bat's face and runs it down to deep third for one.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, On a back of a length, on middle, Rizwan hangs back and smears it through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Did that carry? No, says Shubman Gill straight away. This is on a good length, on off, Rizwan has a swipe across the line. Hits it flat and low towards mid-wicket where Gill leans forward to take the catch but the ball drops in front of his hands.

Mohammad Shami (5-0-18-0) is back into the attack. Sensing that these two might now take on the spinners, Rohit has moved back to pace.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushed through, full and straight, Rizwan taps it long off and keeps the strike with a single. Good last couple of overs for Pakistan. 9 off this one and 8 off the previous over from Kuldeep.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and at the stumps, knocked down to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, 2 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, ! All of a sudden, the boundaries have started to flow for Pakistan!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, ! The conventional sweep comes out from Saud and the result is the same! Loopy delivery, fuller and on middle, Saud picks the length early and sets himself up for the sweep by getting a stride forward. Rolls his wrists over the ball and sweeps it all along the ground through backward square leg for four more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length back, on off, Saud hangs back and punches it to cover.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, ! Nicely done! Floated up, on off, Shakeel reaches out in front and gets nice and low. Reverse sweeps it past short third for a boundary. 100 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Was that a chance? Slips in a googly, on the shorter side, on off, Saud goes for the reverse but the ball goes over his bat and gloves. Catches Saud on the waist and it drops down in front of the keeper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Good stop by Jadeja! Full and on off, Rizwan takes a huge stride ahead and looks to get it down to long off. But Jadeja dives full-stretch to his left and stops the ball.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Nice and full, tossed on off, Rizwan leans on and pushes it back straight.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, ! Swept away! Is this the break-free moment for him?

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, on the stumps, worked across to deep square leg for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, BUZZERS! Kuldeep drops a fuller ball, around off, Saud leans and pushes it to cover and sets off for a risky single. But the fielder at cover is quick enough to pick and release the throw, scoring a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Shakeel had to really rush to get back home and drags the bat in. Replays show that he did well to get in. NOT .

Direct hit!

Is that a run-out?

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Pulls the length slightly back, on the leg stump line. Rizwan powers the pull shot along the ground to deep square leg. Just another single for the skipper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Pitched up, full and on leg, Saud Shakeel leans forward and pushes it to long on for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Dragged length, on top of off. Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and punches it down to long off for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up nicely, fuller and on leg, Rizwan sweeps it but finds the square leg fielder.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full again, quick on middle and leg, Rizwan drives it along the ground to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and flat, on off, Mohammad Rizwan pushes it to Kohli at cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, just outside off and turning in, Saud Shakeel rocks back quickly and cuts it past backward point. The ball trickles to the ropes but just plugs before and it is chased by Kuldeep from the inner ring. Three taken.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Nice and full, around off, Saud leans on and pushes it to cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length again, on off, worked away to mid-wicket again.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Around the stumps, good length, on off with a little bit of turn in, Saud Shakeel stands tall and works it across to mid-wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja has been tossed the ball now.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Oh, Harshit Rana fails to collect it cleanly! Flatter one, bowled full and around off, Shakeel attempts the reverse lap and gets it just fine of short third and sets off for the single. Had Rana picked that up on the first go, things could have been tight.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Flighted up, on a nagging length and around off, Shakeel stays watchful and keeps it out behind point.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Floated up, on off, eased down to long off for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up, on off, Rizwan lunges to defend.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up, full and on the pads, swept away firmly and down to deep backward square leg for just a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Dug in short again by Harshit, just outside off, Mohammad Rizwan swivels and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Another dot! He is just finding the fielders at the moment! Short in length, on off, Mohammad Rizwan mistimes the pull towards short mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, A pace-off delivery, around off and at 112.9 kph, Mohammad Rizwan pushes it out to cover.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, tight line around off, Rizwan gets behind it and blocks it on the pitch.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Around the stumps, full and angling on off, Saud Shakeel leans on it and drives it along the ground, past cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Some intent from Rizwan, but ends up with a single only. Full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan shimmies down the track and lofts it over cover for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, On a good length around off, tapped away from the crease and through covers for one. Pakistan now 79/2 after 20 overs!

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Flattens the trajectory and turns it back into middle stump, Rizwan hops back and across and punches it away to extra cover. 80 dot balls already in the innings.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Rizwan feeling the heat out there! A tad shorter and on the pads, tucked away off the back foot but straight to backward square leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tosses this one up around off, Mohammad Rizwan leans ahead and pushes it straight to mid off.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Nicely flighted, around middle, Rizwan clips it across to mid-wicket.

A double change then as Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-5-0) replaces Axar Patel.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, A loopy delivery, floated up on middle, Saud Shakeel sits down to sweep and hits it nicely behind square leg as the ball keeps turning away from the deep square leg fielder. Just a single though.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Just a bit fuller and on the pads, angling in, Rizwan can't quite flick it away.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Banged in well short and outside off, not quick enough, Shakeel has enough to reach out and get on top of the bounce before playing a controlled pull through mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Slightly pitched up around the fifth stump line, Rizwan leans across and drives it away to deep cover for just another single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Hard-length delivery around off, Mohammad Rizwan blocks it off. Rizwan is now on 11 off 27 and needs to get a move on.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Uppish but in the gap and over the infield!

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Oh, a lovely shot but for no run! Pitched up wide of the off stump, Saud Shakeel gets forward and across and creams the drive but Virat Kohli at short covers makes a sharp stop.

Harshit Rana is back for a burst. 3-0-13-0 for Rana in his opening spell.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Flatter one at the pads, flicked away through the gap at square leg for a single by Shakeel.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Looks to drop and run but can't get the single. Nagging length on off, angled across, Shakeel goes back and across and dabs it down to backward point.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Just marginally short and around off, patted away off the back foot and through cover-point for a single.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Rohit Sharma is back on the field.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, A high bumper around off, Rizwan leaps up a bit and gets on top of the bounce before pulling it down to deep square leg for a single. Just 2 off it.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, This is turning out to be some spell from Hardik Pandya! Just back of a length and in the channel, darts back in, Mohammad Rizwan stays watchful and pushes it away to covers.

Mohammad Rizwan pulled out just as Hardik Pandya was about to deliver. Something behind the bowler's arm seemed to have put Rizwan off there.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Gentle-paced delivery at 130 clicks and on a good length, angling it into the batter, Rizwan nudges it away with soft hands into the leg side.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Hits the deck hard and bowls it just back of a length around middle, Rizwan stays put and just defends it off.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Short and wide, angled well across the left-hander, Shakeel stays upright and taps it nicely through the point region for just a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls a slower bumper over middle and leg. This one grips and stops on the batter but Saud Shakeel waits back well and manages to keep it down towards gully.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Nice and full, on off, Mohammad Rizwan lunges and blocks it down the track.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, On the shorter side and over middle, easily pushed away from the crease and down to long on for one more.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Flatter delivery, darting in from middle, Rizwan leans on but then hops back quickly and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Quicker through the air, a bit full and angled in from around off, Rizwan leans forward and plays it out.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Axar Patel (1-0-6-0) comes back into the attack, replacing Mohammad Shami.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, ! Cheeky but effective from Shakeel and a boundary after 32 balls for Pakistan. Floated up, on a length around middle, Saud Shakeel gets across and inside the line before lapping it straight over the keeper's head and the ball trickles away into the fence.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Banged into the deck and angled across off, Shakeel presses back and pokes at it and gets a bit off an edge down to deep third for a run. Runs hard to come by right now for Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Another bumper from Pandya and he gets the length right yet again! Bangs it in over middle and this one bounces around helmet height as Saud Shakeel again stays leg side and leaves the ball alone.

Still no Rohit Sharma on the field for India. Shubman Gill continues to marshal the troops.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, An effort ball from Pandy as he bowls the bumper now around off and middle. This one comes in around head height and Shakeel just sways away from the line of the ball.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length and wide outside off, Rizwan hangs back and dabs it down late and towards deep third for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Good-length delivery on middle, this one darts back in and Mohammad Rizwan falls over a bit while looking to clip it away and gets hit on the pads.

DRINKS BREAK! Whatever momentum Pakistan got in the first eight overs or so through Babar Azam's intent-laden knock, has been pulled back by India with those two quick wickets. There are not many demons on the pitch, but the Indian pacers have bowled on disciplined lines and lengths, of course, barring those early extras. It is a rebuilding phase for Pakistan, but they need to ensure that they do not go into a shell and play a lot of dot deliveries, and would like to keep the scorecard ticking w

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Nagging length and in the channel, on the fuller side, this one shapes away a bit and stops on the batter as well, Rizwan leans forward and jabs it out on the off side.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length back and bowls it around off, gets it to just straighten a bit as well, Shakeel gets behind the line and a bit across to the off side and keeps it out.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Excellent seam position again, lands it on a hard length and on a tight line around off, Shakeel watchfully blocks it off.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Banged in shorter now and over middle, hurrying the batter, Rizwan gets cramped up and plays a sort of a half-pull through mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, A it shorter and angled into the batter, Shakeel turns it off the hips and just behind square leg for one as Shreyas Iyer comes charging in from the deep and cuts it off.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Nicely played but can't find the gap! Hard length around off, Saud Shakeel punches it sweetly on the up and square of the wicket but finds Ravindra Jadeja at point.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Short of a good length, outside off and just angling in, Shakeel looks to cut away from the body but it isn't quite short enough and Shakeel is beaten.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, A lovely delivery to end the over, just a single off it. Nagging length in the channel, this one nibbles away off the deck and late as well, Mohammad Rizwan stays back and has a poke but the ball just beats the outside edge.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Tidy stuff so far from Pandya! Hard length on the fourth stump line, just angling it in, Rizwan leans on and blocks it off.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, wider of the off stump, Saud Shakeel stays upright and taps it through the vacant point region for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Good length on off, slanting away, Shakeel prods halfway and blocks it to the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Half a shout for caught behind but the umpire says no and no wide is signaled either, so, there must have been something there.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Nagging length, just a smidge fuller and on middle, angling across, Shakeel defends it off the front foot.

Will Pandya get another? Yes, he will. He is 3-0-13-1 so far.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Perfect length, in and around off, attacking the top of the stumps, Rizwan solidly blocks it off.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Just back of a length and over off and middle this time, Mohammad Rizwan hops back and blocks it back onto the deck.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, much tighter line around off this time, Rizwan presses back and pats it down in front of point.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Around the wicket now to the left-hander, on the shorter side and around off, Shakeel gets up on his toes and dabs it down through the third region for one more.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowled into the deck and outside off, Rizwan dabs the ball down into the gap at covers and picks up another single.

Mohammad Shami is back into the attack. Also, Rohit Sharma is off the field for a moment, and Shubman Gill is the acting-skipper for India.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Shami is back and his pace seems to be back where it should be.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length and in the channel, Rizwan hops back and pushes it down to the right of Ravindra Jadeja at point for another dot.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowls it fuller and angles it well into the legs, Rizwan stays leg side of the ball and takes the front leg out before flicking it to mid-wicket.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Hard length on leg, Pandya looks to swing it back into the left-hander, Shakeel tucks it away neatly down to fine leg and turns the strike over.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, a bit outside off as well, staying on the lower side, Rizwan hangs back and chops it down to deep third for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Oh, squares him up! Back of a length and over middle, this one nibbles away off the seam, Shakeel is taken aback and the ball flicks the arms and goes down to short third. They pick up a quick leg bye.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Bowls it on a good length, around the top of off and angling away, Saud Shakeel leans on to block it off.

Powerplay 2! The field restrictions will now ease a bit and India can have as many as four fielders outside the inner circle till the 40th over.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Attacking the stumps, fuller and slower, Rizwan presents a straight bat to keep it out.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushed through, around off, Rizwan presses forward and defends.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Four!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Skipper, Mohammad Rizwan walks out to bat now.

Kuldeep Yadav to Imam-ul-Haq, ! RUN OUT! Axar Patel with the direct and Imam-ul-Haq is gone!

Is that a run-out? Seems like it and Axar Patel, the fielder who got the direct hit in, knows it as well. Not a well-judged run by Imam-ul-Haq and he seems to be struggling here. The third umpire is called in and the replays confirm that Imam was short of his ground. comes up on the big screen.

Kuldeep Yadav to Imam-ul-Haq, No run.

Just one over for Axar Patel and the ball is now tossed to Kuldeep Yadav.

Rohit Sharma seems to be struggling with his fitness as well. Rohit is seen just holding his hamstring a bit but everyone will be hoping that both he and Shami are fit to play the entire game, or else it could be a big blow for the Indian team.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Saud gets off the mark! On the shorter side, on middle, Saud rides the bounce and nudges it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, This is wider on off, on a short of a good length, Saud shapes up for the cut. Chops it down on the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Angling away, on a hard length, Saud stabs it down on the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, LEG BYES! Hardik errs in line as he hurls it on a back of a length, on the pads, Saud tries to help it away but fails to get any bat on it. The ball clips his thigh pad and goes behind where KL Rahul dives to his right but the ball evades him for a boundary.

Saud Shakeel walks in at number 3.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! EDGED AND GONE! Hardik Pandya breaks through for India!

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! A gift and Babar accepts it gleefully! Low full toss, well wide on off, Babar leans into the drive and hits it all along the ground. Gets it through covers for a boundary.

Axar Patel to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam shows his cards early as he gets down the track. Axar spots it and fires it away from the batter, on the shorter side, Imam adjusts and keeps it out on the off side.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, ! Good use of the feet!

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, Darted in again, on middle, Babar taps it to cover.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, Speared in, flat and short, on off, Babar pats it back to Axar.

Axar Patel to Imam-ul-Haq, Floated up from around the wicket, on off, Imam steps out and gets to the pitch of the ball. Pushes it in front of mid off for a quick single.

A change from both ends then as Axar Patel comes into the attack now.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Drags the length back and keeps it on the off stump line, Babar defends it right under his eyes.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! Lovely shot! Hardik overcooks as he serves it a bit too full, around off, Babar presses forward and crunches the drive along the ground through covers for a boundary.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Honing in at the stumps, fuller in length, Babar tries to flick it away but gets squared up due to the late away movement. Gets a soft leading edge towards cover.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Wide! Sliding well down leg, Babar tries to help it away but misses. 8th wide of the innings already.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, At 128.8 kph, wider on off, Babar Azam sees the width on offer and goes for the big booming drive. Miscues it off the inner half of the bat to mid on.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Closer to the batter this time and slightly fuller, Babar shoulders arms again.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, A gentle outswinger first up, on a good length, outside off, Babar lets it be.

As expected Mohammad Shami has gone off for some treatment and Hardik Pandya comes in as the first bowling change.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Hurls it fuller, on off, Imam skips down the track and tries to go down the ground with a cross bat. Gets an inside edge onto the pads. End of a tidy over from Harshit.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, On the pads, on a length, Imam clips it neatly but picks out the man at mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Wide! Sprayed down leg, Imam tries to tickle but misses. Wide given.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, No run.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Beaten for the second time in the over! Rana bashes the hard length and it is around the fifth stump line, Imam hops and has a slight poke at the delivery. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, On the fuller side, on off, Imam stays rooted in the crease and knocks it to mid on with a straight bat.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Beats the bat! Pushes it across the left-hander at 143.8 kph, on a nagging length, Imam-ul-Haq hangs back to defend but the ball leaves him on the angle and zips past the outside edge.

It seems like Mohammad Shami has gone off the field at the moment and Washington Sundar has come on as a substitute fielder.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Over the stumps now. On a back of a length, just around off, Babar Azam punches it straight to cover to end the over.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Bowls from wide of the crease, does Shami and hits the hard length, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq gets on the back foot and works it past backward point for a single.

A slight halt in the play as Mohammad Shami has now signalled to the dressing room. The physio is out to have a look and it seems Shami is struggling with his fitness a bit and his pace has been down in the late 120s kph and early 130s.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, JAFFA! Angling in the channel, straightens up off the deck, on off, a yard behind fuller length, Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it straight and is a bit squared up. Plays inside the line and Imam is beaten on the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Short of a good length, around off, Imam-ul-Haq rises with the bounce and cuts it to pierce the gap, but Ravindra Jadeja at backward point makes a alert stop in the ring.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, BEATEN! A real snorter of a delivery! Back of a length, skidding through, nipping away. Imam-ul-Haq pokes at it on the back foot and the ball zips past the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, On a tad fuller length, outside off, with some extra bit of bounce. Imam-ul-Haq is early into the shot and hits it a bit uppishly but in the gap and through cover for a couple.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Nice and full, around off, driven crisply again, but straight to the cover fielder.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, ! And suddenly, Babar has started to middle the balls! Not the best of deliveries from Harshit, outside off, fuller in length, nipping away. Babar Azam takes a good stride forward and cracks the cover drive for a boundary. Also, that brings up Babar Azam's 1,000 runs in ICC ODI events!

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Full and pace on, around off, Babar gets on the front foot and hits it to cover.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, ! That would provide him a lot of confidence! Harshit bowls it a bit fuller, angling in from off, Babar Azam gets a bit across and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Hard length, at 136.3 kph, on off, Babar Azam gets right behind it and knocks it onto the surface.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Tails into middle and leg, full in length, Babar Azam gets forward and knocks it to the right of the bowler. Hits it from the toe-end of the bat.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, A much, much better over from Shami! A tinge of an inward movement, on middle, fuller in length. Imam-ul-Haq prods forward and pushes it gently to the mid on fielder.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Angles into the stumps now, on a fractional fuller length, Imam-ul-Haq pushes it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Nagging length, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq strides across and this time, he gets it past covers for a couple of quick runs.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Swing and a miss! Shami takes the angle further wide of off, on a fullish length, nips away. Imam-ul-Haq is invited on the front foot, throws his bat to access the cover drive, but misses to connect.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, BEATEN! Bowls from a wider angle now, just a little further up, a yard behind fuller length, nipping away from off, Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it off the back foot, but is beaten on the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Swings into the pads, on a length, from around the wickets. Imam-ul-Haq tilts forward and turns it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a couple of more runs.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Hits the deck hard, on off, Babar Azam gets on the back foot and knocks it watchfully to mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Off the mark, is Babar! 

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Angling into the batter on a length, around off and middle, Babar Azam blocks it straight back to the bowler.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Aims the off stump line, on a fractional fuller length, Babar Azam presses forward and blocks it solidly under the bat.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Wide!

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Good length, nipping back into the right-hander, on off, Babar Azam stands tall, and knocks it out to cover.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Harshit hits the hard length, on top of middle, Imam-ul-Haq hops on the back foot, climbs on the bounce and taps across to mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to take the other new ball.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Corrects the line and also the length, does Shami. Hard length, nipping away from outside off. Babar shoulders arms. Phew, five wides and a single off the first over. Pakistan are 6/0.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, WIDE! Dear me! This is already turning out to be a long, long first over. Swings away from the tramline, on a length. Babar Azam leaves. 

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, WIDE! Another wayward delivery from Shami, tailing way down the leg stump line. Babar misses to glance. Wide given. The fourth wide already.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Comes over the stumps for Babar. Bowls a good-length delivery, just outside off, Babar checks it by prodding forward and offers no shot.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, First runs off the bat for Pakistan and Imam is off the mark! Outside off on a good length, nipping away. Imam-ul-Haq throws his bat at it and gets it off the toe-end to deep backward point for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Bowls from the wider angle on a hard length, and gets the ball to nibble away off the deck. Imam leans back and looks to play the square cut, but the ball beats the edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! A rusty start this from Shami! This time the angle it outside off, beyond the tramline on a length. Wide given.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! Yet another extra! Shami will have to reload that one. Swings down the leg stump line on a length. Left by Imam. Called a wide again!

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Hard length, angling on top of off, Imam-ul-Haq hops on the back foot and tucks it across to the leg side.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! Way too down the leg side, curving further with the inswing. Imam leaves and KL Rahul dives to his right to make a very sharp stop.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, With a slip in place, Shami runs in hard from around the stumps and hits the deck hard, around off, angling in. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it solidly off the back foot.

With the anthems done, it is time for the action to commence. There are more blue shirts in the stands, but despite being outnumbered, Pakistan fans will make their presence felt. India are in a huddle near the ropes with Virat Kohli leading the pep talk. The Men in Blue take their positions, followed closely by the two Pakistani openers. With Fakhar Zaman unavailable, Babar Azam has a new opening partner in Imam-ul-Haq. Mohammad Shami will kickstart proceedings for India. A slip in place. S

We are inching closer to the first ball of this heavyweight clash. The stadium isn't packed just yet, but it won’t be long before every seat is taken. Right then, Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be India's national anthem first, followed by that of Pakistan. 

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says that it doesn't really matter now what they wanted to do. Mentions that this wicket looks similar to what they played on in the last game and need to bowl well. Adds that the guys in the batting lineup are experienced and this is a great opportunity to do what they do best and give their best as a team. Mentions that the run chase wasn't easy last time around but they powered through it and informs that they are playing with the same team.

The captain of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan says that it is a good wicket and it doesn't matter how it plays, they just want to post a good total. Says every match is important in the ICC events and hopes that the boys do well this time. Adds they are aware of the conditions and mentions about them having a good record at this venue. Says it is a new day and whatever happened in the last game is in the past. He informs about the one change. Fakhar Zaman is out and Imam-ul-Haq comes in.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(C)(WK), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed. 

TOSS - Rohit Sharma calls 'heads' but it comes down as tails. Pakistan have elected to BAT first.

We are back for the all-important run chase!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Well then, as it is seen, once the ball gets older, it becomes increasingly harder to score runs, especially for the new batters. So it will be interesting to see how Rizwan shuffles his pace attack with only one frontline spinner and two part-timers in the mix. In a high-stakes clash like this, a target of 242 might just play like 260 or a bit more, given the pressure and intensity of the contest. With the pitch expected to slow down further, it will be a challenging chase for India. So, whi

Saud Shakeel is in for a chat. He feels that he got out at the wrong time and should have spent more time in the middle. Adds that he wanted to take a chance but it did not come off for him. Shares that the ball wasn't coming onto the bat early on. Further says that the pitch is on the slower side. Mentions that early wickets will be key for them.

At one point, it seemed Pakistan were on track to push past 270, which, surely could have been a very challenging total with Rizwan and Shakeel looking solid in the middle. But those wickets came as a much-needed spark for India, just as the death overs loomed and two new batters stepped in. Salman Agha and Khushdil focused on working the singles, building a platform for a strong finish, but the duo still had plenty of work to do. However, they kept losing one too many in that phase and India ju

India went wicketless for nearly 25 overs, mirroring their struggle against Bangladesh where the spinners couldn’t break through. Pakistan, with eight wickets in hand and a good bit of batting still to follow, was in control as Shakeel reached his fifty and Rizwan closed in on his milestone. Rizwan was dropped once however, a lapse in concentration from him proved costly sooner, opening the door for India. Hardik, Jadeja, and Axar capitalized, each striking once to dismantle Pakistan’s middl

With two fresh batters at the crease, Pakistan entered a rebuilding phase, but the scoring rate slowed as dot balls piled up. Rizwan and Shakeel looked to steady the innings but struggled to rotate the strike consistently, with boundaries coming only occasionally. Hardik, bowling with excellent rhythm, kept the pressure on, limiting Pakistan to just 27 runs in the next ten overs without losing a wicket. As the game progressed, Jadeja and Kuldeep rushed through their overs, tightening the screws

Pakistan’s openers began cautiously, negotiating the early movement while picking up timely boundaries. India’s pace duo of Shami and Rana, though slightly erratic, consistently challenged the edges. Babar Azam looked dangerous with his intent and early boundaries but fell to a stunning delivery from Hardik Pandya, while Imam-ul-Haq’s resistance ended with a poor run-out. By the Powerplay, things were brought to balance as Pakistan were 52/2, with India deploying five bowlers to keep the p

Excellent death-over bowling from Harshit Rana this. Out of the 10 balls he bowled in these last five overs or so, he conceded just 5 runs off it with a wicket. Barring Shami going for a 14-run over, this has been a tight finish from the Indians. At the pitch report, Ian Bishop and Sunil Gavaskar, both were off the opinion that any total around or above 270 would be a good defending one. So, fair to say that Pakistan would feel they are 20-25 runs short here.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, ! CAUGHT! Up, up, but not long enough! The pressure was on after those dot balls and in the end, Khushdil Shah has been undone by some smart bowling from Harshit Rana.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, This is excellent bowling from Harshit Rana and three dot balls to begin the final over. Slower one, bowled well full and just around off. Khushdil is undone by the length and fails to get a bat on it.

Abrar Ahmed is the last batter for Pakistan. Harshit Rana (7-0-30-0) will bowl the final over.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Doesn't take the single!

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Full and at the stumps, slower again, Khushdil Shah goes for the slog sweep but is undone by the lack of pace again and toe-ends it onto the off side.

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, ! RUN OUT! They just had to push or two there but it wasn't quite there for the taking.

Is Rauf short of his ground?

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, Goes for the toe-crushing yorker at 140.4 clicks and nails it. Haris Rauf makes room to swing across the line but is beaten and the ball goes between the leg stump and the pads.

Mohammad Shami to Haris Rauf, ! Right off the screws and that one has sailed into the crowd! An attacking short ball, angled in at the batter but Haris Rauf just swings at it and gets a hold of it as the ball clears deep square leg for a biggie. 13 off the over already.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Banged in on a hard length around middle and leg, Khushdil makes room and hammers it flat and on the bounce to long on for just a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Oh, that's been hit hard but straight at the bowler!

Mohammad Shami (7-0-29-0) will bowl the penultimate over.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, ! Khushdil Shah finally gets one away! Attempted slower one from around the stumps, bowed a bit too short though, Khushdil swivels and pulls it flat behind deep square leg for a biggie.

Harshit Rana to Haris Rauf, Oh, deary me! Khushdil Shah denies the run thinking just the single is on and wants to keep strike but they could have well got a couple of runs there, so, that's a bit sloppy. Fuller in length and angled into the pads, Rauf flicks it nicely and to the right of Shubman Gill at deep square leg.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Khushdil can't quite get a hold of the big shots at the moment. Another one bowled at just around 111 clicks and floated up around off, Khushdil sits down to heave but miscues it badly down to long off for just one more.

Harshit Rana to Haris Rauf, A short ball around off, angling it back in, Haris Rauf does well to hang back and just angle it down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Nicely bowled! Pace-off again, a bit full and around off, Khushdil swings hard across the line but gets it off the cue end of the bat towards cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Ouch, that must have hurt! Full and straight now, Khushdil leans on and punches it straight back at Harshit. The bowler can't get out of the way and the ball stings the fingers before going down to long on and the batters hustle back for two runs.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Pitched up in the channel around off, slower too, Khushdil Shah looks to pick it up and slog across the line but only gets an inside edge down to the keeper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Haris Rauf, Flatter delivery, bowled on a length on off and this one slides back in, Rauf plays it off the back foot and gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Kuldeep Yadav to Haris Rauf, A bit fuller and darted into the batter, Haris Rauf leans on and blocks it off.

Haris Rauf comes out to bat.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, ! CAUGHT! Chipped to long off and Kuldeep Yadav gets his third wicket!

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Drops it short again around leg, Naseem Shah is taken aback a bit and gloves it down fine towards fine leg and picks up a couple of runs.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Drags the length back again and angles it across the right-hander, Naseem punches it from the crease but finds the fielder at covers.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Bowled flat and short on off, swatted away off the back foot down to long on for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Slower one, bowled full and around off, Khushdil pushes it away square on the off side and to the right of covers for one more. 7 off that over.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Length ball, angling it into the pads, clipped away firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, These two keep pinching the singles! Full and around off, angling away, Khushdil hangs back and squeezes it away to short third for a quick single.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Leg bye.

Mohammad Shami to Naseem Shah, Bowled well short and outside off, Naseem Shah gets up on the toes and dabs it down wide of deep third for a couple of easy runs.

Mohammad Shami to Khushdil Shah, Shami returns to the attack and starts from around the wicket. This is pitched up outside off, angling in, Khushdil gets on the front foot and miscues the drive to mid off for a quick single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Hit hard but straight to the man! Tossed up, full and on off, Khushdil drills it along the ground to long off for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, A direct hit and that could have been curtains for Naseem Shah! Around off, pushed away to extra cover and the batters et off for the single. Shreyas Iyer picks up the ball and throws the ball a bit wide of the stumps at the bowler's end.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Nicely played by Naseem! Flighted ball, full and on middle, Naseem just backs away before leaning on and strokes it straight back past the bowler for a couple of runs as the fielder at long off cuts it off to his right.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Drops it short no around middle, turning in, Khushdil works it away around the corner for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, The scrambled-seam delivery, comes out flat and from the front of the hand. Lands on off and goes across the batter, beating the outside edge.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, Floated up full and around off, pushed away on the full and down to long off for a single.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Short delivery now, around off, Naseem Shah gets upright and dabs it away from the body and down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Just stopping on the batter that one. Fullish length around off, Naseem Shah leans on to blocks but the ball comes late off the deck and hits the sticker of the blade.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Good length again in the channel, Naseem gets nicely forward this time and blocks it to covers.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, ! Edged away! On a good length and on off, gets this one to just nip away off the seam, Naseem stays compact and plays it late but gets an outside edge wide of the keeper and the ball rolls into the deep third fence.

Harshit Rana to Naseem Shah, Over the wicket now for the right-hander, bowled a bit slower and into the deck outside off. Naseem Shah hangs back and reaches out to have a poke but is beaten.

Harshit Rana to Khushdil Shah, Pitches it up around off and angles it well in, Khushdil Shah clips it around the corner for a single.

Change.

Kuldeep Yadav to Naseem Shah, No hat-trick! Kuldeep Yadav bowls this one a bit too short and around off, Naseem Shah is watchful and stays on the back foot before dabbing it down nicely and well wide of second slip as well.

Naseem Shah takes the guard at number 9 and will face the HAT TRICK ball. Two slips lurking behind him.

Kuldeep Yadav to Shaheen Afridi, ! LBW! Two in two for Kuldeep! Or is it? That seemed fairly adjacent but Shaheen Afridi has reviewed it right away.

Shaheen Afridi comes out to the middle now. Two left-handers at the crease.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, ! CAUGHT! Oh, Ravindra Jadeja slips but manages to hang on and what a timely wicket for India here.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, One more and the 200 comes up for Pakistan. Floated up short and outside off, turning away, Shah reaches out and cuts it just behind point for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Just a tad short and turning back into the stumps, enough time for Salman to rock back and punch it through covers for another single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, On a length, on middle and sliding on, worked away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Good length around middle, Salman Agha gets right behind the line and defends it with a dead bat.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Sees the batter advancing and bowls it shorter at the body, Shah misses the flick and gets it off the pads behind point. They get a leg bye.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, ! Seemed to have got it off the toe end of the bat but gets enough power on it, the first six of the game!

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Quick and flat at the stumps, Khushdil Shah defends it from the crease.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Floated up, fuller and around off, Salman Agha leans across and strokes it on the full through extra cover for one more.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Nicely bowled! Full and fired in at the stumps, Khushdil Shah looks to clear the front leg but adjusts and just digs it out wide of the bowler and down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Bowled flat and angled onto middle and leg, Shah works it off the back foot and wide of mid-wicket for another single. These two just milking the runs now to try and set up a big finish.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Nagging length, floated up around off, Salman taps it in front of point and picks up another easy single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Short, on middle and leg, turns away and sits up, Shah presses back and punches it past the diving bowler down to long on for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Half a shout for LBW but turned down. Seemed to be going down leg but at the last second, Rohit Sharma has reviewed it. Flatter delivery again from Kuldeep, bowled on a length and angled into leg. Khushdil Shah goes down on one knee and looks to play the reverse sweep fine but misses and gets hit on the pads. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows wickets as umpire's call. It stays NOT but much closer than it looked live.

Kuldeep Yadav to Salman Agha, Just drags the length back, slower too, Salman Agha brings out the reverse but gets a top edge in front of short third for a quick single.

Powerplay 3! Into the final 10 overs we go then and the game is nicely poised. Also, India can now have an extra boundary-rider till the end of this innings. Also, a change in bowling. Kuldeep Yadav returns into the attack. He is 5-0-23-0 so far.

Kuldeep Yadav to Khushdil Shah, Flatter delivery, darts it in full and into the legs, Khushdil Shah clips it away wide of mid on fn into the deep for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Tossed up, on middle, Agha gets nice and low and sweeps it to the right of deep square leg. Shubman Gill gets around in the deep to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, No run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, No run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Uppish but safe! Drags the length back and the line is around off, Agha looks to drive it on the up but the ball stops on him. Agha hits it uppishly but well wide of cover to his right for a single.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Shorter and quicker, on the pads, Khushdil Shah flicks it behind square on the leg side for another single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Axar slides onto the pads, full in length, Agha tickles it fine to the right of short fine leg for a brace. Hardik Pandya gives it a chase and mops it up.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Quicker through the air, turning into the pads, Khushdil Shah gets his bat out in front of the front pad and stabs it down on the leg side.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Short and on off, Shah hangs back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Shorter and slower, on middle, Shah hangs back and works it with the turn to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Fired in, on a nagging length, on the pads, Khushdil Shah gets his hands out in front and it is more of a reverse slap. Hits it through covers and Shreyas Iyer gives it a chase. Puts a slide in to save a run for his side. Three runs taken.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, This is full, around off, Agha gets forward and drives it to the left of cover for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Bowled from slightly wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle, full and on off, Agha gets a good stride in and pushes it through covers for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Drifting into the pads, Agha flicks this full delivery straight to mid-wicket.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Back to bowling it flat and short, on middle, Shah camps back and turns it through square leg for one.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, Slows it down and this is a bit fuller, on off, Khushdil Shah gets on the front foot to defend.

Axar Patel to Khushdil Shah, On off, on a nagging length, Shah hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Attacking the front pad, on the fuller side, Khushdil plants his front foot ahead and clips it to short fine leg.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, Flatter and shorter, on off, Shah hangs back and drops it beside the pitch on the leg side. Agha is halfway down the track for the run before being sent back by Shah and rightly so.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, Keeps it short, on off, Agha makes room and pats it through point for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Salman Agha, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Khushdil Shah, 1 run.

Khushdil Shah walks out to bat with Pakistan in a spot of bother.

Ravindra Jadeja to Tayyab Tahir, ! CLEANED HIM UP! The bowling change works like a charm for India! Ravindra Jadeja strikes with his first ball on his return to the attack. Starts from around the wicket and spears it in, short and on off and middle, Tahir stays leg side of the ball and takes the risk of guiding it behind square on the off side from the stumps. Tries to open the bat face to access that area and ends up playing inside the line of the ball as the ball straightens a touch

Ravindra Jadeja (5-0-31-0) is brought back into the attack.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Fires it in, flat and short, on middle and leg, Tayyab nudges it through square leg for one more run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Attacking the off stump, on a length, Agha dabs it in front of point for a quick single.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Darted into the pads, Agha lunges and eases the drive to long on for one more.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Tossed up, on off, Tahir presses forward and knocks it to long off for one.

Axar Patel to Tayyab Tahir, Pushed through from around the wicket, short and on off, Tahir hangs back and pushes it to cover.

Hardik Pandya to Tayyab Tahir, Back of a length, just outside off, Tayyab works it to deep third for a single. 

Tayyab Tahir walks out at number 6 for Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, ! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Hardik Pandya gets his second wicket and the adventurous Saud Shakeel departs. Pakistan has now lost both the set batters in the span of just nine deliveries and India is back in the hunt massively.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, around off, a slower one, at 118.5 kph, Saud Shakeel pinches it to backward point. But with Jadeja stationed there, and moving forward quickly, the batters do not risk a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, ! Beautifully played! Short and on the body, Saud Shakeel positions himself well and swivels to pull it through deep square leg for a boundary.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Low full toss, just outside off, clipped across to mid-wicket.

Hardik Pandya to Salman Agha, Length and outside off, Salman hits it down the deep third region for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Nice and full, on middle, driven to long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, AERIAL AND ! Kuldeep is the culprit now! Could have been two in the over for Axar had Kuldeep been a bit quicker on the ball.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Off the mark, is Agha! Tossed up full outside off, Salman drives it to long off for a single.

Axar Patel to Salman Agha, Full on off, blocked off.

Salman Agha is in next.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, ! b Axar Patel.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, IN THE AIR AND ! Harshit Rana spills an important catch and hands on the heads for India!

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Seeing Rizwan jumping down the track, Hardik pulls the length back and bowls on the bodyline. Mohammad Rizwan though, does well to pull it away to deep square leg and takes a couple of runs. However, a better throw from Shreyas Iyer could have been very close. Also, this partnership now moves past the 100-run mark.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Slower one, on the leg stump line, Saud Shakeel tickles this full ball to deep fine for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Attacks the pads, does Hardik, on a length, Mohammad Rizwan looks to tuck it but misses and the ball is deflected off the thigh pad to square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Hones in an off-cutter, outside off on a length. It lands and stays low, Mohammad Rizwan misses to slash it away due to the lack of bounce.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Pitched fuller on leg, clipped across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, WIDE! Over-the-head-bumper from Hardik. Saud lets it pass over. Wide given.

Another delay in proceedings and it seems a few of the players are struggling with the heat. The Pakistan team physio is out and Shreyas Iyer can also be seen lying on his stomach and getting some massage to his lower back. It is about 10 degrees Celsius hotter than the other day when India played Bangladesh. The humidity is also high and there's no wind.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, around off, Saud Shakeel taps it to backward point for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Flat and quick, on middle and full. Pushed across to mid-wicket by Shakeel.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Drag-down on leg, Saud Shakeel hangs back and glances it toward deep square leg for a couple of quick runs.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and drifting on leg, Rizwan gets forward and pushes it in front of mid on and rushes through for a quick single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Tossed up, slanting outside off, on a length, cut away to deep point for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Arm ball, full and on middle, Saud leans and pushes it back to Axar.

DRINKS BREAK! A similar story with the ball for India from the last game and they just aren't able to pick up wickets through the middle phase, allowing partnerships to foster. The pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel started sluggishly as the Indian bowlers hardly gave anything away but in the last 5-6 overs, they have started to attack, especially the spinners and laid the foundation for a big finish. The wicket looks better from the previous game in Dubai but India do need a few wickets

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, FIFTY FOR SAUD SHAKEEL! His fourth in the ODIs! An inning of patience and grit! Slants it on the middle, does Jadeja, on a length, Saud Shakeel gets behind the line of the ball and tucks it across through mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Good length, around off, Rizwan hangs back and punches it through cover for one more.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Full and on middle and leg, Saud flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, ! Clever, very clever! Overpitched quicker one from Jadeja, on leg, Saud Shakeel sits down and executes the paddle sweep, fine of short fine for a boundary. Saud moves to 48 and the partnership moves to 87 between these two.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Quicker, shorter, on middle, Mohammad Rizwan rocks back and turns it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Another appeal for LBW but Axar does not look overly excited! Patel serves it full and straight, at the stumps, Saud premeditates as he goes for the reverse. The ball is a bit too full for the shot and it sneaks under his bat to catch him on the front pad. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball pitched outside leg, so, a wise decision from India not to take the review.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowled with a round-arm action, on a nagging length, on middle, Rizwan tucks it wide of mid-wicket and collects one more single.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Sliding across, short and on off, Shakeel punches it past cover and crosses over.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Slanting into the pads, Rizwan nudges it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Drops it short, on off, Rizwan presses back and is late on the cut. Ends up chopping it down in front of point.

So, just one over burst for Shami. Spin is back in tandem from the other end. Axar Patel (3-0-15-0) back for another spell.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, A loud shout for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved! Ravindra Jadeja looks interested but he gets no support from KL Rahul behind the stumps and India do not take the review. Fired in, on a length, on middle and leg, Saud walks a bit too far across his stumps to help it away. He misses as he gets beaten on the inside edge and gets rapped on the front pad. This was bowled from around the wicket and the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Coming in with the angle from around the wicket, short and on middle, Rizwan camps back and drops it in the vacant mid-wicket region for one.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Attacking the front pad, full in length, Saud wrists it through square leg for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushes it through, short and flat, on off, Rizwan pats it with an angled bat to the left of cover. Saud hesitates at first but eventually decides to cross and completes the single comfortably.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Sprayed on the pads, on a nagging length, Shakeel flicks it past mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Short and around off, Rizwan stays leg side of the ball and punches it to deep point for one.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Shami bends his back and digs it in short, on off, Saud gets on his toes and rides the bounce. Controls the pull and plays it along the ground to the left of deep square leg for two runs more.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Another direct hit but Rizwan is well in! Honing in at the stumps, on the fuller side, Rizwan whips it towards mid on and scampers across for a quick single. Kuldeep scores a direct hit at the bowling end but Rizwan makes it in with ease by sliding his bat.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, With an upright seam and there is a hint of away nibble, on off, on a good length, Rizwan plays it with a straight bat back to Shami.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, From around the wicket to the left-hander and this is bowled from wide of the crease, on a length, outside off, Saud opens the bat's face and runs it down to deep third for one.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, On a back of a length, on middle, Rizwan hangs back and smears it through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Did that carry? No, says Shubman Gill straight away. This is on a good length, on off, Rizwan has a swipe across the line. Hits it flat and low towards mid-wicket where Gill leans forward to take the catch but the ball drops in front of his hands.

Mohammad Shami (5-0-18-0) is back into the attack. Sensing that these two might now take on the spinners, Rohit has moved back to pace.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushed through, full and straight, Rizwan taps it long off and keeps the strike with a single. Good last couple of overs for Pakistan. 9 off this one and 8 off the previous over from Kuldeep.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and at the stumps, knocked down to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, 2 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, ! All of a sudden, the boundaries have started to flow for Pakistan!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, ! The conventional sweep comes out from Saud and the result is the same! Loopy delivery, fuller and on middle, Saud picks the length early and sets himself up for the sweep by getting a stride forward. Rolls his wrists over the ball and sweeps it all along the ground through backward square leg for four more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length back, on off, Saud hangs back and punches it to cover.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, ! Nicely done! Floated up, on off, Shakeel reaches out in front and gets nice and low. Reverse sweeps it past short third for a boundary. 100 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Was that a chance? Slips in a googly, on the shorter side, on off, Saud goes for the reverse but the ball goes over his bat and gloves. Catches Saud on the waist and it drops down in front of the keeper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Good stop by Jadeja! Full and on off, Rizwan takes a huge stride ahead and looks to get it down to long off. But Jadeja dives full-stretch to his left and stops the ball.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Nice and full, tossed on off, Rizwan leans on and pushes it back straight.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, ! Swept away! Is this the break-free moment for him?

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, on the stumps, worked across to deep square leg for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, BUZZERS! Kuldeep drops a fuller ball, around off, Saud leans and pushes it to cover and sets off for a risky single. But the fielder at cover is quick enough to pick and release the throw, scoring a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Shakeel had to really rush to get back home and drags the bat in. Replays show that he did well to get in. NOT .

Direct hit!

Is that a run-out?

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Pulls the length slightly back, on the leg stump line. Rizwan powers the pull shot along the ground to deep square leg. Just another single for the skipper.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Pitched up, full and on leg, Saud Shakeel leans forward and pushes it to long on for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Dragged length, on top of off. Mohammad Rizwan hangs back and punches it down to long off for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up nicely, fuller and on leg, Rizwan sweeps it but finds the square leg fielder.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full again, quick on middle and leg, Rizwan drives it along the ground to long on for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mohammad Rizwan, Full and flat, on off, Mohammad Rizwan pushes it to Kohli at cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, just outside off and turning in, Saud Shakeel rocks back quickly and cuts it past backward point. The ball trickles to the ropes but just plugs before and it is chased by Kuldeep from the inner ring. Three taken.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Nice and full, around off, Saud leans on and pushes it to cover.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length again, on off, worked away to mid-wicket again.

Ravindra Jadeja to Saud Shakeel, Around the stumps, good length, on off with a little bit of turn in, Saud Shakeel stands tall and works it across to mid-wicket.

Ravindra Jadeja has been tossed the ball now.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Oh, Harshit Rana fails to collect it cleanly! Flatter one, bowled full and around off, Shakeel attempts the reverse lap and gets it just fine of short third and sets off for the single. Had Rana picked that up on the first go, things could have been tight.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, Flighted up, on a nagging length and around off, Shakeel stays watchful and keeps it out behind point.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Floated up, on off, eased down to long off for one more.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up, on off, Rizwan lunges to defend.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tossed up, full and on the pads, swept away firmly and down to deep backward square leg for just a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Dug in short again by Harshit, just outside off, Mohammad Rizwan swivels and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Another dot! He is just finding the fielders at the moment! Short in length, on off, Mohammad Rizwan mistimes the pull towards short mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, A pace-off delivery, around off and at 112.9 kph, Mohammad Rizwan pushes it out to cover.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, tight line around off, Rizwan gets behind it and blocks it on the pitch.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Around the stumps, full and angling on off, Saud Shakeel leans on it and drives it along the ground, past cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Some intent from Rizwan, but ends up with a single only. Full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan shimmies down the track and lofts it over cover for a single.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, On a good length around off, tapped away from the crease and through covers for one. Pakistan now 79/2 after 20 overs!

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Flattens the trajectory and turns it back into middle stump, Rizwan hops back and across and punches it away to extra cover. 80 dot balls already in the innings.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Rizwan feeling the heat out there! A tad shorter and on the pads, tucked away off the back foot but straight to backward square leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Tosses this one up around off, Mohammad Rizwan leans ahead and pushes it straight to mid off.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Nicely flighted, around middle, Rizwan clips it across to mid-wicket.

A double change then as Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-5-0) replaces Axar Patel.

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, A loopy delivery, floated up on middle, Saud Shakeel sits down to sweep and hits it nicely behind square leg as the ball keeps turning away from the deep square leg fielder. Just a single though.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Just a bit fuller and on the pads, angling in, Rizwan can't quite flick it away.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Banged in well short and outside off, not quick enough, Shakeel has enough to reach out and get on top of the bounce before playing a controlled pull through mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Slightly pitched up around the fifth stump line, Rizwan leans across and drives it away to deep cover for just another single.

Harshit Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Hard-length delivery around off, Mohammad Rizwan blocks it off. Rizwan is now on 11 off 27 and needs to get a move on.

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Uppish but in the gap and over the infield!

Harshit Rana to Saud Shakeel, Oh, a lovely shot but for no run! Pitched up wide of the off stump, Saud Shakeel gets forward and across and creams the drive but Virat Kohli at short covers makes a sharp stop.

Harshit Rana is back for a burst. 3-0-13-0 for Rana in his opening spell.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Flatter one at the pads, flicked away through the gap at square leg for a single by Shakeel.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, No run.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, Looks to drop and run but can't get the single. Nagging length on off, angled across, Shakeel goes back and across and dabs it down to backward point.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Just marginally short and around off, patted away off the back foot and through cover-point for a single.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, No run.

Rohit Sharma is back on the field.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, A high bumper around off, Rizwan leaps up a bit and gets on top of the bounce before pulling it down to deep square leg for a single. Just 2 off it.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, This is turning out to be some spell from Hardik Pandya! Just back of a length and in the channel, darts back in, Mohammad Rizwan stays watchful and pushes it away to covers.

Mohammad Rizwan pulled out just as Hardik Pandya was about to deliver. Something behind the bowler's arm seemed to have put Rizwan off there.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Gentle-paced delivery at 130 clicks and on a good length, angling it into the batter, Rizwan nudges it away with soft hands into the leg side.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Hits the deck hard and bowls it just back of a length around middle, Rizwan stays put and just defends it off.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Short and wide, angled well across the left-hander, Shakeel stays upright and taps it nicely through the point region for just a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls a slower bumper over middle and leg. This one grips and stops on the batter but Saud Shakeel waits back well and manages to keep it down towards gully.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Nice and full, on off, Mohammad Rizwan lunges and blocks it down the track.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, On the shorter side and over middle, easily pushed away from the crease and down to long on for one more.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Flatter delivery, darting in from middle, Rizwan leans on but then hops back quickly and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Axar Patel to Mohammad Rizwan, Quicker through the air, a bit full and angled in from around off, Rizwan leans forward and plays it out.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Axar Patel (1-0-6-0) comes back into the attack, replacing Mohammad Shami.

Axar Patel to Saud Shakeel, ! Cheeky but effective from Shakeel and a boundary after 32 balls for Pakistan. Floated up, on a length around middle, Saud Shakeel gets across and inside the line before lapping it straight over the keeper's head and the ball trickles away into the fence.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Banged into the deck and angled across off, Shakeel presses back and pokes at it and gets a bit off an edge down to deep third for a run. Runs hard to come by right now for Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Another bumper from Pandya and he gets the length right yet again! Bangs it in over middle and this one bounces around helmet height as Saud Shakeel again stays leg side and leaves the ball alone.

Still no Rohit Sharma on the field for India. Shubman Gill continues to marshal the troops.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, An effort ball from Pandy as he bowls the bumper now around off and middle. This one comes in around head height and Shakeel just sways away from the line of the ball.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length and wide outside off, Rizwan hangs back and dabs it down late and towards deep third for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Good-length delivery on middle, this one darts back in and Mohammad Rizwan falls over a bit while looking to clip it away and gets hit on the pads.

DRINKS BREAK! Whatever momentum Pakistan got in the first eight overs or so through Babar Azam's intent-laden knock, has been pulled back by India with those two quick wickets. There are not many demons on the pitch, but the Indian pacers have bowled on disciplined lines and lengths, of course, barring those early extras. It is a rebuilding phase for Pakistan, but they need to ensure that they do not go into a shell and play a lot of dot deliveries, and would like to keep the scorecard ticking w

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Nagging length and in the channel, on the fuller side, this one shapes away a bit and stops on the batter as well, Rizwan leans forward and jabs it out on the off side.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Drags the length back and bowls it around off, gets it to just straighten a bit as well, Shakeel gets behind the line and a bit across to the off side and keeps it out.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Excellent seam position again, lands it on a hard length and on a tight line around off, Shakeel watchfully blocks it off.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Banged in shorter now and over middle, hurrying the batter, Rizwan gets cramped up and plays a sort of a half-pull through mid-wicket for one.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, A it shorter and angled into the batter, Shakeel turns it off the hips and just behind square leg for one as Shreyas Iyer comes charging in from the deep and cuts it off.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Nicely played but can't find the gap! Hard length around off, Saud Shakeel punches it sweetly on the up and square of the wicket but finds Ravindra Jadeja at point.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Short of a good length, outside off and just angling in, Shakeel looks to cut away from the body but it isn't quite short enough and Shakeel is beaten.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, A lovely delivery to end the over, just a single off it. Nagging length in the channel, this one nibbles away off the deck and late as well, Mohammad Rizwan stays back and has a poke but the ball just beats the outside edge.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Tidy stuff so far from Pandya! Hard length on the fourth stump line, just angling it in, Rizwan leans on and blocks it off.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Back of a length, wider of the off stump, Saud Shakeel stays upright and taps it through the vacant point region for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Good length on off, slanting away, Shakeel prods halfway and blocks it to the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Half a shout for caught behind but the umpire says no and no wide is signaled either, so, there must have been something there.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Nagging length, just a smidge fuller and on middle, angling across, Shakeel defends it off the front foot.

Will Pandya get another? Yes, he will. He is 3-0-13-1 so far.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Perfect length, in and around off, attacking the top of the stumps, Rizwan solidly blocks it off.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Just back of a length and over off and middle this time, Mohammad Rizwan hops back and blocks it back onto the deck.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, much tighter line around off this time, Rizwan presses back and pats it down in front of point.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Around the wicket now to the left-hander, on the shorter side and around off, Shakeel gets up on his toes and dabs it down through the third region for one more.

Mohammad Shami to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowled into the deck and outside off, Rizwan dabs the ball down into the gap at covers and picks up another single.

Mohammad Shami is back into the attack. Also, Rohit Sharma is off the field for a moment, and Shubman Gill is the acting-skipper for India.

Mohammad Shami to Saud Shakeel, Shami is back and his pace seems to be back where it should be.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length and in the channel, Rizwan hops back and pushes it down to the right of Ravindra Jadeja at point for another dot.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Bowls it fuller and angles it well into the legs, Rizwan stays leg side of the ball and takes the front leg out before flicking it to mid-wicket.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Hard length on leg, Pandya looks to swing it back into the left-hander, Shakeel tucks it away neatly down to fine leg and turns the strike over.

Hardik Pandya to Mohammad Rizwan, Back of a length, a bit outside off as well, staying on the lower side, Rizwan hangs back and chops it down to deep third for a single.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Oh, squares him up! Back of a length and over middle, this one nibbles away off the seam, Shakeel is taken aback and the ball flicks the arms and goes down to short third. They pick up a quick leg bye.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Bowls it on a good length, around the top of off and angling away, Saud Shakeel leans on to block it off.

Powerplay 2! The field restrictions will now ease a bit and India can have as many as four fielders outside the inner circle till the 40th over.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Attacking the stumps, fuller and slower, Rizwan presents a straight bat to keep it out.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Pushed through, around off, Rizwan presses forward and defends.

Kuldeep Yadav to Mohammad Rizwan, Four!

Kuldeep Yadav to Saud Shakeel, 1 run.

Skipper, Mohammad Rizwan walks out to bat now.

Kuldeep Yadav to Imam-ul-Haq, ! RUN OUT! Axar Patel with the direct and Imam-ul-Haq is gone!

Is that a run-out? Seems like it and Axar Patel, the fielder who got the direct hit in, knows it as well. Not a well-judged run by Imam-ul-Haq and he seems to be struggling here. The third umpire is called in and the replays confirm that Imam was short of his ground. comes up on the big screen.

Kuldeep Yadav to Imam-ul-Haq, No run.

Just one over for Axar Patel and the ball is now tossed to Kuldeep Yadav.

Rohit Sharma seems to be struggling with his fitness as well. Rohit is seen just holding his hamstring a bit but everyone will be hoping that both he and Shami are fit to play the entire game, or else it could be a big blow for the Indian team.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Saud gets off the mark! On the shorter side, on middle, Saud rides the bounce and nudges it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, This is wider on off, on a short of a good length, Saud shapes up for the cut. Chops it down on the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, Angling away, on a hard length, Saud stabs it down on the off side.

Hardik Pandya to Saud Shakeel, LEG BYES! Hardik errs in line as he hurls it on a back of a length, on the pads, Saud tries to help it away but fails to get any bat on it. The ball clips his thigh pad and goes behind where KL Rahul dives to his right but the ball evades him for a boundary.

Saud Shakeel walks in at number 3.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! EDGED AND GONE! Hardik Pandya breaks through for India!

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! A gift and Babar accepts it gleefully! Low full toss, well wide on off, Babar leans into the drive and hits it all along the ground. Gets it through covers for a boundary.

Axar Patel to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam shows his cards early as he gets down the track. Axar spots it and fires it away from the batter, on the shorter side, Imam adjusts and keeps it out on the off side.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, 1 run.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, ! Good use of the feet!

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, Darted in again, on middle, Babar taps it to cover.

Axar Patel to Babar Azam, Speared in, flat and short, on off, Babar pats it back to Axar.

Axar Patel to Imam-ul-Haq, Floated up from around the wicket, on off, Imam steps out and gets to the pitch of the ball. Pushes it in front of mid off for a quick single.

A change from both ends then as Axar Patel comes into the attack now.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Drags the length back and keeps it on the off stump line, Babar defends it right under his eyes.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, ! Lovely shot! Hardik overcooks as he serves it a bit too full, around off, Babar presses forward and crunches the drive along the ground through covers for a boundary.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Honing in at the stumps, fuller in length, Babar tries to flick it away but gets squared up due to the late away movement. Gets a soft leading edge towards cover.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Wide! Sliding well down leg, Babar tries to help it away but misses. 8th wide of the innings already.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, At 128.8 kph, wider on off, Babar Azam sees the width on offer and goes for the big booming drive. Miscues it off the inner half of the bat to mid on.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, Closer to the batter this time and slightly fuller, Babar shoulders arms again.

Hardik Pandya to Babar Azam, A gentle outswinger first up, on a good length, outside off, Babar lets it be.

As expected Mohammad Shami has gone off for some treatment and Hardik Pandya comes in as the first bowling change.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Hurls it fuller, on off, Imam skips down the track and tries to go down the ground with a cross bat. Gets an inside edge onto the pads. End of a tidy over from Harshit.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, On the pads, on a length, Imam clips it neatly but picks out the man at mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Wide! Sprayed down leg, Imam tries to tickle but misses. Wide given.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, No run.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Beaten for the second time in the over! Rana bashes the hard length and it is around the fifth stump line, Imam hops and has a slight poke at the delivery. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, On the fuller side, on off, Imam stays rooted in the crease and knocks it to mid on with a straight bat.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Beats the bat! Pushes it across the left-hander at 143.8 kph, on a nagging length, Imam-ul-Haq hangs back to defend but the ball leaves him on the angle and zips past the outside edge.

It seems like Mohammad Shami has gone off the field at the moment and Washington Sundar has come on as a substitute fielder.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Over the stumps now. On a back of a length, just around off, Babar Azam punches it straight to cover to end the over.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Bowls from wide of the crease, does Shami and hits the hard length, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq gets on the back foot and works it past backward point for a single.

A slight halt in the play as Mohammad Shami has now signalled to the dressing room. The physio is out to have a look and it seems Shami is struggling with his fitness a bit and his pace has been down in the late 120s kph and early 130s.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, JAFFA! Angling in the channel, straightens up off the deck, on off, a yard behind fuller length, Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it straight and is a bit squared up. Plays inside the line and Imam is beaten on the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Short of a good length, around off, Imam-ul-Haq rises with the bounce and cuts it to pierce the gap, but Ravindra Jadeja at backward point makes a alert stop in the ring.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, BEATEN! A real snorter of a delivery! Back of a length, skidding through, nipping away. Imam-ul-Haq pokes at it on the back foot and the ball zips past the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, On a tad fuller length, outside off, with some extra bit of bounce. Imam-ul-Haq is early into the shot and hits it a bit uppishly but in the gap and through cover for a couple.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Nice and full, around off, driven crisply again, but straight to the cover fielder.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, ! And suddenly, Babar has started to middle the balls! Not the best of deliveries from Harshit, outside off, fuller in length, nipping away. Babar Azam takes a good stride forward and cracks the cover drive for a boundary. Also, that brings up Babar Azam's 1,000 runs in ICC ODI events!

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Full and pace on, around off, Babar gets on the front foot and hits it to cover.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, ! That would provide him a lot of confidence! Harshit bowls it a bit fuller, angling in from off, Babar Azam gets a bit across and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Hard length, at 136.3 kph, on off, Babar Azam gets right behind it and knocks it onto the surface.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Tails into middle and leg, full in length, Babar Azam gets forward and knocks it to the right of the bowler. Hits it from the toe-end of the bat.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, A much, much better over from Shami! A tinge of an inward movement, on middle, fuller in length. Imam-ul-Haq prods forward and pushes it gently to the mid on fielder.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Angles into the stumps now, on a fractional fuller length, Imam-ul-Haq pushes it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Nagging length, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq strides across and this time, he gets it past covers for a couple of quick runs.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Swing and a miss! Shami takes the angle further wide of off, on a fullish length, nips away. Imam-ul-Haq is invited on the front foot, throws his bat to access the cover drive, but misses to connect.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, BEATEN! Bowls from a wider angle now, just a little further up, a yard behind fuller length, nipping away from off, Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it off the back foot, but is beaten on the outside edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Swings into the pads, on a length, from around the wickets. Imam-ul-Haq tilts forward and turns it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a couple of more runs.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Hits the deck hard, on off, Babar Azam gets on the back foot and knocks it watchfully to mid-wicket.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Off the mark, is Babar! 

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Angling into the batter on a length, around off and middle, Babar Azam blocks it straight back to the bowler.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Aims the off stump line, on a fractional fuller length, Babar Azam presses forward and blocks it solidly under the bat.

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Wide!

Harshit Rana to Babar Azam, Good length, nipping back into the right-hander, on off, Babar Azam stands tall, and knocks it out to cover.

Harshit Rana to Imam-ul-Haq, Harshit hits the hard length, on top of middle, Imam-ul-Haq hops on the back foot, climbs on the bounce and taps across to mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to take the other new ball.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Corrects the line and also the length, does Shami. Hard length, nipping away from outside off. Babar shoulders arms. Phew, five wides and a single off the first over. Pakistan are 6/0.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, WIDE! Dear me! This is already turning out to be a long, long first over. Swings away from the tramline, on a length. Babar Azam leaves. 

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, WIDE! Another wayward delivery from Shami, tailing way down the leg stump line. Babar misses to glance. Wide given. The fourth wide already.

Mohammad Shami to Babar Azam, Comes over the stumps for Babar. Bowls a good-length delivery, just outside off, Babar checks it by prodding forward and offers no shot.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, First runs off the bat for Pakistan and Imam is off the mark! Outside off on a good length, nipping away. Imam-ul-Haq throws his bat at it and gets it off the toe-end to deep backward point for a single.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Bowls from the wider angle on a hard length, and gets the ball to nibble away off the deck. Imam leans back and looks to play the square cut, but the ball beats the edge.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! A rusty start this from Shami! This time the angle it outside off, beyond the tramline on a length. Wide given.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! Yet another extra! Shami will have to reload that one. Swings down the leg stump line on a length. Left by Imam. Called a wide again!

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, Hard length, angling on top of off, Imam-ul-Haq hops on the back foot and tucks it across to the leg side.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! Way too down the leg side, curving further with the inswing. Imam leaves and KL Rahul dives to his right to make a very sharp stop.

Mohammad Shami to Imam-ul-Haq, With a slip in place, Shami runs in hard from around the stumps and hits the deck hard, around off, angling in. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it solidly off the back foot.

With the anthems done, it is time for the action to commence. There are more blue shirts in the stands, but despite being outnumbered, Pakistan fans will make their presence felt. India are in a huddle near the ropes with Virat Kohli leading the pep talk. The Men in Blue take their positions, followed closely by the two Pakistani openers. With Fakhar Zaman unavailable, Babar Azam has a new opening partner in Imam-ul-Haq. Mohammad Shami will kickstart proceedings for India. A slip in place. S

We are inching closer to the first ball of this heavyweight clash. The stadium isn't packed just yet, but it won’t be long before every seat is taken. Right then, Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be India's national anthem first, followed by that of Pakistan. 

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says that it doesn't really matter now what they wanted to do. Mentions that this wicket looks similar to what they played on in the last game and need to bowl well. Adds that the guys in the batting lineup are experienced and this is a great opportunity to do what they do best and give their best as a team. Mentions that the run chase wasn't easy last time around but they powered through it and informs that they are playing with the same team.

The captain of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan says that it is a good wicket and it doesn't matter how it plays, they just want to post a good total. Says every match is important in the ICC events and hopes that the boys do well this time. Adds they are aware of the conditions and mentions about them having a good record at this venue. Says it is a new day and whatever happened in the last game is in the past. He informs about the one change. Fakhar Zaman is out and Imam-ul-Haq comes in.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(C)(WK), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed. 

TOSS - Rohit Sharma calls 'heads' but it comes down as tails. Pakistan have elected to BAT first.