In the latest installment of their storied rivalry, India and Pakistan locked horns in another fascinating T20 World Cup game. In the truest sense of the word, the quality wasn't altogether there, but the contest between India and Pakistan was adroit enough to have been considered gripping and enthralling.
Led by indomitable Jasprit Bumrah, India romped home to a narrow six-run win over an edgy, strangulated Pakistan.
On a sticky, up-and-down wicket, India, playing under new skipper Rohit Sharma, were in trouble post a mid-innings slide before setting a below-par target of 119 in 19 overs. Rishabh Pant's valiant 42 off 31 reduced that ignominy.
Despite Pakistan's strong position, needing just 48 runs off 48 balls with eight wickets in hand, the dynamic duo of Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) orchestrated a remarkable comeback, snatching crucial wickets and restricting Pakistan to 113 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.
With 18 required off the last over, India reached home with Arshdeep Singh holding his nerve under immense pressure to help close out yet another memorable victory for the side Sachin Tendulkar has symbolized for this nation.
Resilient in the face of adversity as ever, India harbored blemishes, most importantly through dropping crucial catches of Rizwan and Babar Azam at the start of Pakistan's chase. This was India's second concretized and back-to-back event win, while Pakistan faced another dent in their campaign after the USA blanked them in the first match.
Certainly, in their innings, India had a collapse; seven wickets lost for only 28 runs, despite the resistance from Pant. The disciplined Pakistani bowlers, Naseem Shah with 3 for 21, and Mohammed Amir with 2 for 23, kept the Indian batting at bay.
To further add to the drama, rains halted the game again and again, and the better of the two sides today, India, won in a comprehensive yet tight game.
But what ensued was sheer brilliance from both the sides given the nature of the wicket and the conditions.
Brief Scores:
India 119 in 19 overs (Rishabh Pant 42; Naseem Shah 3-21, Haris Rauf 3-21) beat Pakistan 113/7 in 20 overs (Muhammad Rizwan 31; Jasprit Bumrah 3-14, Hardik Pandya 2-24) by six runs.
