Bolt for the Blue: Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets, file first-ever World Cup win over arch-rivals

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Pakistan’s victory was so reassuring that even their die-hard followers have been momentarily speechless earlier than going full on of their celebration. By then, Indian followers began leaving the stadium when Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan made enjoyable of Indian bowling. Before this recreation Pakistan had by no means defeated India in a World Cup. When they lastly retaliated, they gained by 10 wickets with 13 balls to spare.

The night dew in Dubai made it tough for the Indian bowlers. In addition, they have been defending a reasonably modest 151/7. And but, India have been fully out within the night time. The response from the Pakistan openers after the win recommended that they meant enterprise. Rizwan restricted his celebration to a handful. Azam provided a silent prayer earlier than all the workforce joined. In the early days of T20 World Cup, nevertheless it appeared that Pakistan has come right here to make an announcement.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling on Sunday would have additionally made Wasim Akram proud. Azam and Rizwan’s conceitedness in chasing the goal lowered Javed Miandad’s dominance over India within the Eighties. But even in its latest occasions, Pakistan by no means beat India by 10 wickets. This was their prime pleasure and India’s lowest level on this rivalry.

On the eve of the match, Azam had mentioned how information needs to be damaged. Pakistan’s depth of their pre-match warm-up acted as a sign about their resolve. Then Afridi arrived and opened hearth on all cylinders.

Fast and straight, and a slight motion in the correct arm. This has been Afridi’s blueprint with the brand new ball in restricted overs cricket. An ESPN Cricinfo stat says that since his T20I debut in 2018, the left-arm pacer has taken wickets within the first over 20 occasions in 61 innings earlier than this recreation. On Sunday, he completed his twenty first, dismissing Rohit Sharma for a golden duck. It was an nearly not possible supply for the opener going through his first ball.

KL Rahul was executed by one other in-ducker, as soon as once more the ball was shaping up and going via the gate. This form of entrance assault was at all times going to drive India on the backfoot. Virat Kohli’s scintillating half-century and Rishabh Pant’s 30-ball 39 saved India from additional humiliation.

Coming again with the wickets of Rohit, Rahul and Kohli, it was a recreation of treasure for Afridi. He was the showstopper, aided by a mass bowling efficiency; From Haris Rauf to Shadab Khan within the center overs.

depart the intense spot alone

The solely comfort for the Indian followers right here will probably be Kohli’s innings, how he weathered the storm and slowly returned to type, staying true to his conventional stroke-play. But the early wickets received him banned by way of pursuing. Kohli’s fifty with a strike charge of 116 is uncommon. But the India captain needed to take the sport deeper.

Also, Kohli does not usually come underneath assault from opposition batsmen in restricted overs cricket after scoring a half-century. Once once more, this recreation was totally different.

Pakistan’s innings was a superb mix of Azam’s class and Rizwan’s smashes. Unlike Afridi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first over was on foot. Rizwan hits a boundary and a six off the medium pacer to go.

Mohammed Shami bowls the subsequent over, will get one to good size, however Azam stands tall and will get an outstanding cowl drive.

Kohli was fast to carry Jasprit Bumrah into the assault. Varun Chakravarthy additionally got here up together with his secret. He stopped the run-flow to start with, however Shami had a nasty day on the workplace. Pakistan’s powerplay rating was 43 for no loss as in comparison with India’s 36/3. That’s the place the sport was mainly gained and misplaced.

Rizwan scored an unbeaten 79 off 55 balls. Azam performed an unbeaten 68 off 52 balls. And but, India missed out on a sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya was by no means one to bowl, and now his additional participation within the event has been questioned after he injured his proper shoulder whereas batting. Ishan Kishan fielded for him and the Indian workforce administration should have missed a trick by not together with him within the enjoying XI at the price of Suryakumar Yadav. After three consecutive T20I half-centuries, Kishan was most likely in a great place to make his good type depend.

Also, as the 2 Pakistan openers slowly grasped Varun, and Ravindra Jadeja did not look highly effective within the recreation, Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg spin was missed. India made a U-turn towards Pakistan by fully eradicating the wrist spin.

As he was leaving the stadium, Zaheer Abbas most well-liked to maintain the feelings at arm’s size. “It’s cricket and right this moment was Pakistan’s day. He put India underneath strain from the beginning and by no means launched it,” the previous Pakistan captain informed The Indian Express.

India misplaced the battle instantly, however the conflict (learn, event) remains to be to be gained. In the post-match presentation, Kohli admitted that he was overwhelmed by Pakistan. But his workforce is nice at making a comeback.

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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