India clinched a thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in their high-voltage encounter during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Exactly a year ago, the Indian Cricket Team secured a memorable win against Pakistan in the 2024 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup. The tournament was jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). A total of 20 teams competed in the event, divided into four groups.
Each group consisted of five teams, with every team playing the others once during the group stage. The top two teams from each group based on points advanced to the Super Eight stage. India and Pakistan were both part of Group A, alongside the USA, Canada, and Ireland.
Rohit Sharma led the Indian side as captain, while Babar Azam was at the helm for Pakistan. Both teams entered the high-stakes clash after playing one match each in the group stage.
India, under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, had made a strong start by defeating Ireland by eight wickets. In contrast, Pakistan faced a major blow, losing to the USA in a Super Over – a result that went down as one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.
T20: Pakistan Bowlers Dismantle India for a Low Total in First Innings
India and Pakistan clashed at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bowl first. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma opened the innings alongside Virat Kohli.
However, both experienced batters failed to deliver. Naseem Shah struck early, dismissing Kohli for just 4 runs in the second over. In the very next over, Shaheen Afridi sent Sharma back to the pavilion for 13 runs.
Rishabh Pant, who came in at number three, was the top scorer with a fighting 42, while the rest of the Indian batting lineup crumbled. Key batters including Suryakumar Yadav (7), Shivam Dube (3), Hardik Pandya (7), and Ravindra Jadeja failed to make significant contributions.
Pakistan bowlers displayed exceptional teamwork, bowling India out for just 119 runs in 19 overs. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah claimed three wickets each, Mohammad Amir took two, and Shaheen Afridi picked up one.
India Stages a Brilliant Comeback in the Second Innings
Jasprit Bumrah provided India with the crucial breakthrough in the fifth over, dismissing Babar Azam for 13. Despite the early blow, Pakistan reached 35/1 by the end of the powerplay.
Rizwan and Usman Khan built a steady partnership, taking the score to 57/1 after 10 overs. However, Axar Patel broke the stand by removing Usman Khan in the 11th over. Rizwan continued to anchor the innings, but Bumrah struck again in the 15th over, dismissing him for 31.
Pakistan’s middle order collapsed under pressure, just like India’s. Usman Khan (13), Fakhar Zaman (13), Imad Wasim (15), and Shadab Khan (4) were all dismissed cheaply. Indian bowlers mounted an impressive comeback. Bumrah was the standout performer with three wickets, while Hardik Pandya picked up two. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel chipped in with one wicket each.
By the end of the 19th over, Pakistan had lost six wickets for 102 runs and needed 18 off the final over. Arshdeep Singh held his nerve, conceding just 11 runs and taking a wicket to seal a six-run victory for India.
Pakistan finished at 113/7. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match for his brilliant spell of 3/14 in four overs. India eventually went on to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating South Africa in the final, while Pakistan was eliminated in the group stage, with India and the USA advancing to the Super Eight from Group A.
