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Picture Credit: Twitter

India and Pakistan are all set to face each other for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss this time and decided to bowl first. Both the teams fielded a different playing XI from what they played last time. While India did not include Dinesh Karthik and missed Ravindra Jadeja and Avesh Khan due to fitness concerns, Muhammad Hasnain replaced Shanawaz Dahani in Pakistan’s playing XI. 

Before the match kicked off, Hardik Pandya joined Sanjay Manjrekar for a short talk. In the same chat, Pandya mentioned that he travels with his personal chef to keep a check on what he eats. Listening to this, Wasim Akram asked Pandya on air to send his chef to the former’s hotel as he is fed up with eating bad food. 

“Humble request to Hardik Pandya to send his chef to my hotel, I am sick of having bad food,” said Akram on Star Sports pre-match show. 

India get off to a good start

Coming to the match, the Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul seemed to have come with positive intent as they took on Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain in the first two overs. Captain Sharma was the aggressor as he took charge on the very second ball he faced. Rohit charged down the pitch for the second - came down the pitch, made room and then flayed the slice over cover to get India their first boundary. 

He capitalized on the start and sent the final ball of the first over for a maximum in the deep midwicket stands. It was his favourite pull shot to bring the first six of the match. The charge continued against Hasnain as well. Rohit and Rahul accumulated nine runs off the young pacer’s over to get off to a flying start.