By Syed Mussarat Khalil Special correspondent.
Jeddah-In the match played at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday night, India achieved the target of 148 runs given by Pakistan for the loss of five wickets in the last over.
The former Editor-in-Chief, Arab News, Saudi Gazette, the legend and the promoter of cricket in Saudi Arabia Khalid Almaeena said both teams fought hard till the final over. Although the opener KL Rahul bowled out in the first over of Naseem Shah Fakhar Zaman dropped an important catch of Virat Kohli on the next ball, after which Kohli managed to score 35 important runs then 2 misfielding’s cost 8 runs and ultimately, India won the match by five wickets. Pakistan should beef up their game.
Nadeem Nadvi, former general manager Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) said India and Pakistan match is always a high-intensity game and we have witnessed time and again that the team held their nerves to excel and win the matches. Pakistan defended the small total very well against the deep batting side of India, he added. The best of Asian Cricket.
Nadeem Saad Alnadwi, senior Saudi All-rounder said I believe in one thing. “Cricket by luck” Whoever plays better on that day….Wins. No yorker’s bowl in depth by any Pakistani bowlers, bouncers were misdirected and 9ften resulted in wides and extras.
In T20 the mantra for success is to play less dot balls and bowl more dot balls Pakistan’s 1st innings have many dot balls.
Liaqat Ali Mohsin Ali Bhatti, a senior organizer of Jizan Cricket Association (JCA), said first batting suffered as the pitch was dry grass and the ball had to be shot. Then in-form Babar Azam lost his wicket by playing the wrong short. He should have played the first 4 overs by putting himself on set manners. Pakistan team always makes one mistake when playing against India they don’t have a better game plan.
Arshad Tabasim, a well-known social personality of the Pakistani community in Riyadh said both teams played well. Indian fought till the last ball. Losing is part of the game. God willing, they will level the score in the next match. Only batting needs to be strengthened said, Arshad.
Abid Shamoon Chand, Chairman of Pak United Media Forum Saudi Arabia said India and Pakistan had a thrilling encounter. The performance of the Pakistani players was not very good in the beginning. But the Pakistani players tried to use all their efforts to win. In my opinion, if Pakistan bowled first Pakistan could have won this match. Still, I pay tribute to the Pakistani team for performing well.
Kaleem Khan, a social worker in “Tawaal, the northern city in Saudi Arabia and his companions Shahnawaz Shani, Faheem Kayani, Irfan and Rizwan, thought that Pakistan’s middle order led to the defeat of the team. If they had not tried to play unnecessary bouncer balls, the team would have set a big total, Bowlers of the Pakistani team are good, they put up a good fight, but if ten to fifteen runs were more, Pakistan would have won the match easily. Improvement is needed in fielding.
Atif Amin, Executive Committee Member Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA), said in defence of 148 runs, the Pakistani bowlers showed excellent bowling and never gave the Indian batsmen a chance to play openly and returned the pavilion for 4 Indian players for 89 runs. 
On this occasion, Hardik Pandya along with Jadeja a partnership of 52 runs brought India close to victory. India achieved the desired target on the fourth ball of the last over.
Azeemuddin, ICC level 3 Global Elite High-performance Cricket Coach, actively involved in the development and nurturing of elite cricket players in the Middle East, said Pakistan is banking heavily on Babar Azam and Rizwan since the last T20 world cup. They have not found game changers like Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez in the middle order. Dubai wicket is sticky and dual pace if you bat first your top 4 should be till the end to build 170 or 180 scores, u cannot hit across the line, you have to bat straight like Jadeja hit straight 6s and initially, Babar Azam played
Syed Shahid Amin former cricketer Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) said it was a great match and closely fought. Pakistan scored 15-20 runs more, they could have won the match.
