India reduced to 119 after Pakistan pacers trigger middle-order collapse

With India feeling the heat at 19 for two, India decided to promote Axar Patel (20 off 18) at number four to shield Suryakumar Yadav, a surprising move as the team has able batters till number eight.

However, to Axar’s credit, the southpaw did play some bold strokes, including a six over third man off Afridi, in his brief stay.

New number three Pant and Axar shared a 39-run strand off 30 balls to ensure the runs kept coming after the loss of openers.

Pant, who got two streaky fours off Mohammad Amir at the start of his innings, rode his luck to a play pivotal knock.

The gutsy left-hander was also dropped on eight before he gained in confidence to come up with a series of fearless fours.

Three came in the opening over from Haris Rauf before he unleashed the reverse shit off spinner Imad Wasim.

A 31-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav (7 off 8) took India to a promising 81 for three in the 10 overs.

However, Pakistan fought back between overs 11-15 with as many as four wickets while conceding only 15 runs to leave India struggling at 96 for seven.

Dube’s was a rather soft dismissal as he hit one straight back to Shah while Suryakumar tried to dispatch Rauf through the line but was caught at mid-off.

Seeing the wickets fall at the other end, Pant did not hold back and went for a straight aerial drive to give Amir his first wicket.

He got rid of Ravindra Jadeja the first next ball with the balling stopping on the batter, leading to a regulation catch at cover.

With more than five overs left in the innings, Hardik had to bat around the tail but did not last long.