In a match that will be remembered for its tension and dramatic twists and turns, India managed to defend a modest total of 119 against Pakistan to win by six runs in the group stages of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah’s masterful bowling was the linchpin of India’s defence and marked another chapter in the legendary rivalry between the two cricket giants.
India’s innings: Struggling to reach a total
India’s innings got off to a rocky start after being forced to bat. Pakistan’s quick duo Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf made excellent use of the conditions, taking three wickets each and keeping the Indian batsmen at bay. Early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, brought down by throws that got stuck in the pitch, set the tone for a challenging batting performance.
Rishabh Pant was the highest scorer with 42 runs from 31 balls. His innings was a mixture of luck, courage and innovation and formed a crucial pillar of the Indian batting line-up. Pant survived several chances and played several daring shots, including a flick shot while falling to the ground, demonstrating his ingenuity in difficult conditions. The rest of the Indian batting line-up, however, struggled, managing a meagre 70 runs from 84 balls in total.
Despite Pant’s efforts, India were bowled out for 119 with one over remaining, and many doubted whether that would be enough against the strong Pakistani batting line-up.
Pakistan’s hunt: Bumrah’s genius turns the tide
Pakistan were in control at times as they chased 120 runs. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam provided a steady start and with 80 for 3 and 40 runs needed in the last 36 balls, Pakistan seemed to be on the safe side. ESPNcricinfo’s prediction service even gave them a 93 percent chance of winning at that point.
Jasprit Bumrah, however, had other plans. He was brought into the attack in the third over and held back until the crucial 15th over. Bumrah’s effort was nothing short of magical. His strategy of bowling balls from the back to the length constantly created pressure and forced the Pakistani batsmen to make mistakes.
Bumrah’s decisive moment came when he dismissed batsman Mohammad Rizwan for 31 off 44 balls, breaking Pakistan’s comeback. His celebration of outstretched arms and loud roars was echoed by thousands in the stadium and millions of fans worldwide. Bumrah’s subsequent dismissal of Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over and his astonishing 15 dot balls sealed Pakistan’s fate.
The New York Times praised India’s victory
“After a slow start, India came back strongly to win the match 119-113,” were the words of the New York Times.
Supporting acts: Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel
While Bumrah’s heroics took centre stage, the contributions of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel were equally important. Pandya’s short throws took advantage of the uneven bounce of the pitch and removed Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan at crucial moments. His figures of 2/24 were crucial in keeping the pressure on Pakistan.
Axar Patel’s over at the end was another turning point. Bowling the 18th over, he managed to concede just two runs to a left-hander with the short boundary on the leg side, demonstrating his excellent control and tactical sense.
Pakistan’s downfall: panic and bad decisions
Although Pakistan were ahead for most of the chase, their inability to maintain composure under pressure was their downfall. Their batting collapse from 80 for 3 to 113 for 7 highlighted a lack of adaptability and resilience – elements that India exploited skilfully.
The defeat 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 line-up, which was expected to score 120 with ease, was instead hampered by disciplined Indian bowling and their own lapses in concentration.
Diploma
India’s victory over Pakistan in New York not only extends their dominance in T20 World Cups to 7-1, but also underlines the importance of match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah. India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, defended a record low score of 119 and showed grit and skill under immense pressure.
This game is a testament to the unpredictability of T20 cricket, where the brilliance of one player can turn the tide. For India, this win is proof that the team is a strong contender in the tournament, while Pakistan will have to regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive.
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