The difference between the Indian and Pakistani innings at the Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Sunday was stark. While India got off to a rocky start, losing two batsmen in the first two overs, Pakistan cruised to the 152-run mark without giving away a single wicket. Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets with 13 balls remaining.
This is Pakistan's first victory against India in a World Cup game.
At first, it was the turn of Pakistan’s bowlers, with Shaheen Afridi’s 3/31 in four overs and Harris Rauf’s 1/25 off four overs. Besides Kohli's 49-ball 57, Rishabh Pant slammed 39 in 30 deliveries. But no other batsman managed to score much, leaving India with an average score for this pitch. After Pakistan came to bat, its openers, skipper Babar Azam (68) and Mohammad Rizwan (79), went on to win the match all by themselves with a 146-run partnership.
If Shaheen Shah Afridi was a rockstar with his searing pace and incisive swing, his new-ball counterpart Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled at early to mid 120 kmph with no swing at all.
Is the 3rd umpire was sleeping???
— Jaswant Singh MP (@jassisinghmp) October 24, 2021
Shaheen Afridi's dismissing of KL Rahul on a NO-BALL during India vs Pakistan. #ICCT20WorldCup2021 #indiaVsPakistan #KLRahul #PMModi #BCCI #ViratKohli #StarNaKelu pic.twitter.com/49G6SSiClM
If Pakistan's spin troika of left-armer Imad Wasim (0/10 in 2 overs), leg-spinner Shadab Khan (1/25 in 4 overs) and off-spinner Mohammed Hafeez (0/10 in 2 overs) gave only 47 runs in their eight overs together, Varun Chakravarthy (0/33 in 4 overs) didn't have any 'mystery' about him as he and Ravindra Jadeja (0/28 in 4 overs) gave away 61 runs.
In the chase, Pakistan looked in complete control and Bhuvneshwar's lack of pace and non-existent swing made it easy for Rizwan to effortlessly cart him over square leg for a six. Skipper Babar was also elegant as he punched Mohammed Shami off the back-foot and rocked back to pull Jadeja over deep mid-wicket for a six.
The 50 came in the 8th over and before India realised, the duo had taken the game away by posting the highest ever opening stand against India in T20 internationals.
Afridi was awarded the man of the match; his contribution was key as he dispatched Rohit Sharma, K.L. Rahul and Kohli, blunting India's attack. However, a controversy over the first innings has already begun stewing on Twitter, with Indian fans claiming that Rahul's dismissal was on a no-ball.
In the post-match interview, Kohli gave credit to Pakistan for playing well, saying "they definitely outplayed us".
Hardik injures shoulder while batting, sent for precautionary scans
The Indian team's troubles on Sunday were compounded after all-rounder-turned-specialist batter Hardik Pandya injured his shoulder while batting, after which he did not come out to field. Ishan Kishan came in as a substitute fielder.
The extent of Hardik's injury couldn't be confirmed but it has been learnt that the flamboyant Baroda man has been taken for precautionary scans to check whether he has suffered any serious injury.
"Hardik Pandya was hit on his right shoulder while batting. He has now gone for scans," the BCCI's media team said.
India play their next game against New Zealand on October 31, which gives Hardik enough time to recover in case the injury is not serious.
With inputs from PTI
