In a thrilling T20 World Cup clash, India narrowly defeated Pakistan by six runs at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. The nail-biting encounter, which kept the record crowd of 34,028 on the edge of their seats, saw Jasprit Bumrah emerge as the hero with a stellar bowling performance.
India, having been bowled out for 119 in 19 overs, faced an uphill battle. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan played a steady innings, scoring 31 runs, but it was Bumrah’s decisive bowling that turned the tide. He claimed three crucial wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs, a performance that proved pivotal as Pakistan fell short, ending on 113-7.
The game was characterized by a tricky batting surface, making runs hard to come by. Bumrah’s contributions were critical, especially his dismissals of Pakistan captain Babar Azam (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (31) at crucial moments. When handed the ball for the penultimate over, Bumrah conceded only three runs and took the vital wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed, leaving Pakistan needing 18 runs from the final over.
Arshdeep Singh, tasked with bowling the last over, delivered under pressure. He dismissed Imad Wasim with the first ball, making Pakistan’s chase even more difficult. Despite a valiant effort from Naseem Shah, who struck consecutive boundaries, India managed to avoid late drama and secured their second win of the tournament.
For Pakistan, the defeat was their second consecutive loss, having previously been beaten by the USA. This result leaves them without any points and facing a challenging path to the Super Eight stage, with crucial matches against Canada and Ireland ahead.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan’s bowlers had set the stage for a potential victory. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each claimed three wickets, effectively dismantling India’s batting lineup. India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, fell cheaply, putting the team in a precarious position. However, Rishabh Pant’s resilient 42 from 31 balls provided India with a total to defend.
Rain played a part in the day’s proceedings, delaying the start of the match and interrupting play briefly after just one over. When play resumed, Pakistan’s bowlers capitalized on the conditions. Naseem Shah dismissed Virat Kohli, who edged to Usman Khan at point, and Rohit Sharma, after hitting a six, was caught by Haris Rauf attempting another big shot. This left India reeling at 19-2.
Despite the setbacks, Pant’s innings helped India post a defendable total. Yet, the collapse of India’s lower order, adding just 24 runs for the last five wickets, highlighted the challenging pitch conditions.
As Pakistan took to the crease, Rizwan anchored the innings, but the lack of substantial partnerships hindered their chase. Bumrah’s disciplined bowling ensured that Pakistan’s batsmen could not build momentum. His critical wickets, especially in the death overs, underscored his reputation as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
In the end, it was a game of fine margins, and Bumrah’s brilliance with the ball ensured India emerged victorious in a memorable contest. This win further solidifies India’s status as tournament favorites, while Pakistan must regroup quickly to stay in the competition.
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By- Sahiba Suri