Pakistan VS India T20 I Match Played at Dubai on 24 October 2021
Pakistan 152/0 (Mohammad Rizwan 74*, Babar Azam 68*)
India 151 /7 (Virat Kohli 57, Rishab Pant 39, Shahin Shah Afridi 3/31, Hasan Ali 2/44,Haris Rauf 1/25 and Shadab Khan 1/22)
Pakistan Won by 10 Wickets
Player of the Match: Shahin Shah Afridi
In the blockbuster mega event a Pakistan VS India derby of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Pakistan thoroughly outclassed an insipid India. It was a clinical all-round performance in which India could not create any contest at all.
Against very probing top quality Pakistan bowling attack the mighty Indian batting fell like pack of cards. 151/7 in such a match was way below bare minimum. Pakistan inspired by their two world class batsmen Mohammad Rizwan (74*) and Babar Azam (68*) cruised to emphatic victory winning by 10 wickets. It was a milestone setting victory as it was the first time Pakistan won against India in a global cricket contest. It was not Imran Khan’s cornered tiger; it was not Moghul Emperor Babar led army occupying throne of Delhi but it was another Babar led Pakistan Cricket army that settled few scores against Indian cricket. Deep in their heart Pakistan believed that they could win against India, the pre-tournament favorite. Pakistan executed their plans wonderfully well.
Set into bat first in the day night match the top order looked helpless against high quality new ball attack of Shahin Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali. Afridi struck deadly blows trapping Rohit plumb in front with fast in swinger in the very first over. He also cleaned up Rahul in the 3rd making it 2/6 . Hasan Ali removing Surjakumar Yadab in the 6th over made it 3/31. Losing 3 wickets in the first power play India looked tottering against very probing Pakistan attack. Kohli and Pant desperately tried resurrecting with a 53 runs 4th wicket partnership before Pant was snapped up caught and bowled by Shadab Khan. Shaheen in his second spell dealt yet another deadly blow removing Kohli 57. These days Kohli cannot deliver the killer punch. Rest of the Indian batting unfortunately did not have the veins to match superior Pakistan attack. India could master only 151/7.
Pakistan opened with their two world-class batsmen. The great start with the ball was half done. The two brilliants inform Pakistan batsmen made Indian attack looked pretty ordinary. At certain stage dew coming down made gripping by Indian spinners difficult. Babar and Rizwan matching stroke for stroke cantered past the target producing unbeaten 152. Pakistan won by 10 wickets. Babar remained not out on 68 scored off 52 deliveries containing six fours and two sixes. Rizwan blazed striking six fours and three sixes in his 55 balls unbeaten 74.
Pakistan made a strong statement in the very first match. India Bangladesh for political reasons do not play cricket in bilateral contests. Neither Pakistani cricketers appear in IPL nor Indians play in PSL. In the recent past Pakistan could not prepare as planned for the world cup as New Zealand withdrew from the series in Pakistan and England deferred their scheduled tour to Pakistan for security excuses.
We are not sure how much such a huge defeat would impact on Indian morale. The other major team in the group is New Zealand. The sooner India forget the match as nightmare would be better. With two associate members qualifying for super 12 in the group makes matters a bit simpler. But Afghanistan can be a difficult team to deal with. Pakistan passage would be much smoother with major barrier hurdled over. Pakistan proved why they thought playing in their home away from home was their best opportunity to deliver the killer punch against their arch rival. It happened in front of the sold out (CORONA permitting) match. Pakistan truly pulverized India to the pulp.
BDST: 1200 HRS, OCT 25, 2021
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