In a match that will be remembered for its tension and dramatic turns, India managed to defend a modest total of 119 against Pakistan, winning by six runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup group stage encounter. Jasprit Bumrah‘s masterful bowling was the linchpin of India’s defence, marking another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two cricketing giants.
India’s Innings: Struggling to Post a Total
India’s innings got off to a shaky start after being put into bat. Pakistan’s pace duo, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, exploited the conditions superbly, each taking three wickets and keeping the Indian batsmen on the back foot. Early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who fell to deliveries that stuck in the pitch, set the tone for a challenging batting effort.
Rishabh Pant emerged as the top scorer with 42 runs off 31 balls. His innings was a blend of luck, bravery, and innovation, crucially anchoring India’s batting lineup. Pant survived multiple chances and played several audacious shots, including a flick shot while falling to the floor, demonstrating his ingenuity in difficult conditions. However, the rest of the Indian batting lineup struggled, managing a meager 70 runs off 84 balls collectively.
Despite Pant’s efforts, India was bowled out for 119 with one over to spare, leaving many to doubt whether it would be enough against a formidable Pakistan batting lineup.
Pakistan’s Chase: Bumrah’s Brilliance Turns the Tide
Chasing 120, Pakistan seemed to be in control at various points. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam provided a stable start, and at 80 for 3, with 40 runs required off the last 36 balls, Pakistan appeared to be cruising. ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster even gave them a 93% chance of victory at that stage.
However, Jasprit Bumrah had other plans. Brought into the attack in the third over and held back until the crucial 15th over, Bumrah’s spell was nothing short of magical. His strategy of bowling back-of-a-length deliveries consistently created pressure, forcing the Pakistani batsmen into errors.
Bumrah’s pivotal moment came when he dismissed the set batsman Mohammad Rizwan for 31 off 44 balls, breaking the backbone of Pakistan’s chase. His celebration, arms wide and a roar, was echoed by thousands in the stadium and millions of fans watching globally. Bumrah’s subsequent removal of Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over, along with his astonishing 15 dot balls, sealed Pakistan’s fate.
New York Times Newspaper praised India’s victory
“After a slow start, India came back strong to win the match by 119-113”, were the words of New York Times Newspaper.
Support Acts: Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel
While Bumrah’s heroics took center stage, the contributions of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were equally vital. Pandya’s short-of-a-length deliveries exploited the pitch’s uneven bounce, removing Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan at crucial junctures. His figures of 2/24 were instrumental in keeping the pressure on Pakistan.
Axar Patel’s over at the death was another turning point. Bowling the 18th over, he managed to concede only two runs against a left-hander with the short boundary on the leg side, showcasing his excellent control and tactical acumen.
Pakistan’s Downfall: Panic and Poor Decision-Making
Despite being ahead for most of the chase, Pakistan’s inability to maintain composure under pressure led to their downfall. Their batting collapse from 80 for 3 to 113 for 7 highlighted a lack of adaptability and resilience, elements that India capitalized on expertly.
The loss leaves Pakistan on the brink of elimination, a stark contrast to their strong performance in the previous T20 World Cup where they were finalists. Their batting lineup, expected to chase down 120 comfortably, was instead bogged down by disciplined Indian bowling and their own lapses in concentration.
Conclusion
India’s victory over Pakistan in New York not only extends their dominance in T20 World Cups to 7-1 but also underscores the importance of having match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah. Defending a record low total of 119, India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, showcased grit and skill under immense pressure.
This match serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where one player’s brilliance can turn the tide. For India, this win reinforces their credentials as strong contenders in the tournament, while Pakistan will need to regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive.
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