Dubai: Their countrymen called for a boycott of the Asia Cup match against Pakistan, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam still fresh in memory.
Taking a call was beyond the control of Team India cricketers, who had no option but to take the field on Sunday as per the BCCI and Centre’s decision to play Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
All that Suryakumar Yadav’s men could do was to take out their anger on the 22 yards, at Dubai International Stadium. The Men in Blue did just that, thumping Pakistan by 7 wickets with plenty to spare in the Group A contest.
The Indian captain, who turned 35 on Sunday, had earlier refrained from the customary handshake with his opposite number Salman Agha post the toss of coin.
After the bowlers, led by the irrepressible Kuldeep Yadav (3/18) kept Pakistan down to 127/9 in their allotted 20 overs, the batters chased down the modest target in 15.5 overs.
After Abhishek Sharma (31 off 13 balls, 4×4, 2×6) gave India a typically blistering start, birthday-boy Suryakumar helped himself to an unbeaten 47 (37 balls, 5×4, 1×6).
The only Pakistani bowler to make an impression was part-time offie Saim Ayub (3/35).
With the latest triumph, India maintained their stranglehold on Pakistan. The men in blue have won 10 of the 14 T20 Internationals they have played against the green brigade.
The last time Pakistan beat India was three years ago, at this very venue, in the Asia Cup Super 4 stage.
BRIEF SCORES
Pakistan 127/9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Shah Afridi 33*; Kuldeep Yadav 3/18, Axar Patel 2/18).
India 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 47*, Abhishek Sharma 31, Tilak Varma 31)
Result: India won by 7 wickets.
Player of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav (3/18).
