In what was described as the latest chapter in the “greatest rivalry” in cricket, India narrowly defeated Pakistan by six runs in a thrilling but low-scoring match at the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite the match not being high on quality, it delivered edge-of-the-seat action as India, led by the indomitable Jasprit Bumrah, managed to prevail over an imploding Pakistan.
India’s Batting Struggles
After being asked to bat under overcast conditions, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side faced a mid-innings collapse on a challenging two-paced pitch, finishing at a modest 119 in 19 overs. Rishabh Pant was the standout performer, scoring a gritty 42 off 31 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to adapt. India lost seven wickets for just 28 runs after being well-placed at 89 for three in the 12th over.
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan seemed to have control over the chase, needing 48 runs off the last eight overs with eight wickets in hand. However, the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) turned the game on its head with incisive bowling spells. Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, ultimately falling short at 113 for seven in their 20 overs.
The final over saw Arshdeep Singh hold his nerve to defend 18 runs, securing another memorable victory for India against Pakistan on the world stage.
Key Moments
- Hardik Pandya effectively used the short ball, while Bumrah dismissed a well-set Mohammad Rizwan in the 15th over and Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over, which only yielded three runs.
- India’s fielding was shaky, with dropped catches of key players Rizwan (31 off 34) and Babar Azam (13 off 10) giving Pakistan an early advantage.
- Despite the batting collapse, India’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, with Bumrah’s performance being particularly noteworthy.
Post-Match Reactions
Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised the team’s resilience and Bumrah’s exceptional bowling. Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam acknowledged the tight contest and credited India for their strong finish. This victory marked India’s second win in the tournament, while Pakistan faced another setback following their unexpected loss to the USA in their opening match(mint) (mint).
Game Conditions
Intermittent rain delayed the start of the match by 50 minutes, and under overcast skies, Babar Azam’s decision to bowl first was expected. The pitch, which had been a topic of concern prior to the game, offered assistance to both pacers and spinners, but was not as treacherous as anticipated.
India’s new number three, Rishabh Pant, played a crucial but chancy innings, with other batsmen failing to apply themselves on the tricky surface. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Naseem Shah (3/21) and Mohammad Amir (2/23), ensured that India was bowled out with an over to spare.
Overall, the match added another thrilling chapter to the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, with India’s bowlers ensuring they emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish. For further details, you can check the full coverage on Times of India and LiveMint.
