Jasprit Bumrah showcased his brilliance, securing figures of 3-14 as India clinched a hard-fought six-run triumph against Pakistan in a pulsating T20 World Cup encounter in New York.
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah delivered commendable performances, both ending with impressive figures of 3-21 as India’s innings concluded at 119 runs in 19 overs amidst tricky conditions following morning rain.
Despite Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 42, crucial for India, their formidable bowling initially lacked its usual sting, allowing their opponents to reach 80-3 with six overs remaining, with Muhammad Rizwan leading the chase diligently.
The momentum shifted in India’s favor following Rizwan’s dismissal for 31, bowled by the exceptional Bumrah, who spearheaded India’s resurgence from a precarious position.
Requiring 18 runs off the final over, bowled by Arshdeep Singh, Pakistan managed only 10 runs, falling agonizingly short.
India has now emerged victorious in seven of their last nine encounters with Pakistan in T20 World Cups, with one match ending in no result.
This triumph at a New York stadium, scheduled for dismantling after the US leg of the T20 World Cup, holds particular significance for India. It not only edges their winless rivals closer to elimination but also places them on the verge of advancing to the Super 8s.
India’s batting prowess plays a pivotal role
Rohit Sharma adeptly tackled a challenging pitch in the opening victory against Ireland at the same venue, placing immense responsibility on India’s captain and most skilled batsman.
The fervent chants of “Rohit, Rohit, Rohit” echoed from the stands as he effortlessly dispatched the third ball of the match from Shaheen Afridi over the ropes. While this should have set the stage for a substantial total, India faltered as Virat Kohli fell to Naseem’s delivery and Rohit was caught in the deep while attempting a similar shot against Shaheen, exposing India’s vulnerable middle order.
However, there was no indication that India would settle for mere consolidation, especially with Pant striding to the crease in his characteristic flamboyant style. The left-hander played with his trademark audacity, swinging hard and connecting sporadically, contributing six crucial boundaries in a 31-ball innings that propelled his side to a moderately competitive total, with Axar Patel (20) among the few to reach double figures.
Pakistan’s seamers exhibited remarkable discipline throughout the innings, with Naseem and Rauf excelling as India’s last six wickets fell for a mere 24 runs.
Pakistan squander opportunity as Bumrah dazzles
India endured an early setback in Pakistan’s response, with misfields and missed catches, before Bumrah skillfully induced an edge off Babar Azam’s bat, leading to a fine slip catch by Suryakumar Yadav.
The majority of the packed crowd, numbering 34,028 and witnessing a sold-out Eisenhower Park, fervently backed India as their bowlers relentlessly pursued wickets.
Despite the imposing presence of the “blue wall,” Pakistan’s batters initially stood firm amidst sunny conditions and favorable batting conditions. Rizwan anchored the innings with a patient 44-ball knock before a lapse in judgment resulted in his dismissal while attempting to dispatch Bumrah through the leg side.
At that juncture, Pakistan remained the favorites, but the mounting pressure stifled their middle and lower order, who struggled to find boundaries against disciplined bowling.
Although Imad Wasim (15) offered resistance, India’s bowlers tightened the screws as the required run rate climbed. Bumrah played a pivotal role, complemented by Hardik Pandya (2-24) and Mohammed Siraj, who, despite remaining wicketless, conceded a mere 19 runs.
Following a surprising defeat to the United States in their opening match, Pakistan faces an uphill task. Even for a team known for its unpredictability, qualifying for the next stage from this position presents a daunting challenge.
Reactions from the captains:
India captain Rohit Sharma remarked, “We didn’t bat well enough – we were 15 runs short. With our bowling line-up, you feel confident. It is the never-say-die attitude in the team. You need everyone to show up and a little contribution for everyone makes a big difference, and we did that.”
Regarding the crowd, he added, “There is no doubt about it, the crowd was superb. They never disappoint, wherever we play in the world.”
Pakistan captain Babar Azam reflected, “We bowled well. At the halfway stage when batting we wanted to keep it simple, how we normally play. We didn’t capitalize properly and made the same mistakes in the last overs. We need to win big in our last two matches. We’ll discuss our mistakes.”
