The China Mail - Pakistan reach 171-5 after India refuse handshake in Asia Cup

The rivals came into the Super Four contest of the regional tournament with tensions high after India angered Pakistan with a 'no handshake' stance in their previous meeting at the same venue in Dubai.

India won the toss and fielded first, but Pakistan came out attacking as Farhan, who hit 58, and Saim Ayub, who made 21, put on 72 runs for the second wicket to heap pressure on the Indian bowlers.

Fakhar Zaman opened with Farhan and started aggressively in his nine-ball 15 before being caught behind.

Farhan kept up the charge as he hit five fours and three sixes in his 45-ball knock.

India hit back with three wickets, including Farhan who was dismissed by medium-pace bowler Shivam Dube as Pakistan slipped to 115-4.

Mohammad Nawaz made 21 before being run out.

Skipper Salman Agha, on 17, and Faheem Ashraf, with 20 off eight balls, struck 22 between them to boost the total.

Dube stood out with figures of 2-33, but Indian fielders had a day to forget as they dropped a few catches.

India beat Pakistan in their group match, which was the first cricketing clash between the rival nations since a four-day cross-border conflict in May left more than 70 people dead.

Andy Pycroft turned out as match referee for the Super Four match in spite of Pakistan lodging a protest with the International Cricket Council, alleging that the Zimbabwean had told Agha not to approach India skipper Suryakumar Yadav for a handshake.

The Pakistan Cricket Board demanded that Pycroft be removed from their matches and threatened to withdraw from the eight-team T20 competition.

Because of fraught political ties, nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues during multi-team tournaments.

R.Yeung--ThChM