India win T20 World Cup thriller against Pakistan by 6 runs

INDIA defeated Pakistan by just six runs in a thrilling contest in the T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday (9) to get closer to the Super Eight stage.

The loss, on the other hand, made it virtually impossible for the Green shirts to cross the hurdle of the group stage after they lost their opening game against co-hosts United States last week.

India were bowled out for just 119 in 19 overs after Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and asked them to bat. From 89 for 3 at one stage, the Men in Blue witnessed a massive batting collapse and lost their last seven wickets for only 30 runs. Rishabh Pant, the team’s wicket-keeper-batter, was the top scorer with 42 off 31 balls but he survived a number of chances.

For Pakistan, pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked three wickets each.

In response, Pakistan were cruising well at one stage but lost the plot towards the end and finished on 113 for the loss of seven wickets. Muhammad Rizwan top scored for them with 31 off 44 balls and his dismissal by Jasprit Bumrah proved to be the turning point of the match.

For India, Bumrah was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 14 runs while Hardik Pandya chipped in with two for 24. Pant took three catches.

Bumrah was picked as the player of the match.

India, who beat Ireland in their first match, next take on the US on June 12 while Pakistan play Canada on June 11.

And with conditions helpful for seamers as pointed out by India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah after the Ireland game, it won’t be a surprise if the lethal version of Pakistan’s bowling attack led by Shaheen Afridi decides to show up on Sunday and put the team’s campaign back on track.

Security measures for the high-profile match have been significantly heightened following a received ISIS terror threat.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder emphasised the extensive arrangements in place, likening them to security measures for a presidential visit.

Various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security, are involved in ensuring the safety of players and spectators.

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

(PTI)

India win T20 World Cup thriller against Pakistan by 6 runs

Get the Asian and International news headlines from India Weekly. Subscribe for weekly news magazine or download our App. British #1 Asian Weekly Newspaper in UK, India