icc t20 world cup 2024

Far Behind USA In NRR, Babar Azam Explains ‘Slow Approach’ Against Canada In T20 World Cup Clash

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Babar Azam in post-match presentation ceremony© X (Twitter) Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is relieved to have logged their first win in the T20 World Cup here on Tuesday and said they couldn’t complete their chase of 107 in a lesser number of overs because of a difficult pitch. Having suffered back-to-back defeats against the USA and India in their first two Group A matches, the game against Canada was a must-win tie for Pakistan. Chasing a modest target, Pakistan rode on Mohammad Rizwan’s run-a-ball unbeaten 53 and Babar’s 33 to get over the line in 17.3 overs. “Good for us, we need this win. We started well with the bowling, in the first six overs we know we had to be up to the mark,” Babar said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “It was in our mind (to get over USA’s net run rate), to win before 14 overs but the pitch made it difficult.” After making a run-a-ball 33, Babar was out caught in the slips while trying to guide a delivery down to third man, and the dismissal left the Pakistan skipper angry. “Because I got out with the same shot twice (against India)! This is my shot but sometimes you need success. I’ll try my best.” India are currently placed atop Group A with two wins from as many matches with USA following with same number of victories. Pakistan have climbed up to the third spot with two points from three games ahead of Canada and Ireland. Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar felt it was a difficult wicket to bat early on. “Definitely, it was a bit disappointing. We wanted to play a positive brand of cricket and I think the wicket was not very helpful. It was difficult to bat early on – not a good toss to lose. We were about 25 to 30 runs short,” he said. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

“You Fooled Public, Got Friends Into The Team”: Ahmed Shehzad Blasts Babar Azam In Fiery Rant

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is critics’ favourite target at the moment. With his team losing the first two matches of the T20 World Cup 2024, to the USA and India respectively, Babar’s been the focal point of criticism coming from former cricketers, fans, and pundits. Even Ahmed Shehzad, an active Pakistani cricketer, tore into Babar and shredded his reputation on a television channel in Pakistan. Shehzad shed light on Babar’s poor statistics in big competitions and suggested that the Pakistan skipper averages only 27 in T20I cricket when it comes to big events. In a fiery rant on live television, Shehzad said that Pakistan have been losing to mediocre sides under Babar’s captaincy, and even also been losing to top teams’ B, C and D squads. “Jab se Babar Azam captain hain, hum bohot mediocre, sorry for using this word, teams se haar rahe hain (ever since Babar became captain, we have been losing to mediocre teams),” said. Ahmed Shehzad, “Jab ap har jaye to Babar Azam bed se chalang marne lage the, Shadab ne 4 din se roti nhi khayi. pic.twitter.com/bcCAi5LCDH — (@CallMeSheri1) June 10, 2024 Ahmed Shehzad on a TV show, in a video that has gone viral. “The kind of progress that was going on, these things were on the cards and bound to happen some day.” Shehzad feels Pakistan’s veteran players should’ve stepped up and taken responsibility of the team’s chase of 120 runs against India but they failed to do so. “There are players who are taking care of the team for the last 4-5 years, who take all the decisions. So wasn’t it their duty to take the responsibility of ensuring that the team chases down 120 to win such an important match against India?” Shehzad asked. “Aapne B, C, D teams ke khilaaf perform kar ke logon ko hallucinate kiya hai aur pagal banaya hai (you guys have performed against B, C, D teams and fooled the people),” Shehzad accused the team and further said: “Your salaries were hiked, PCB paid you to evolve yourself and your cricket…” Ahmed Shehzad, “King ka mai kya kro jisne mujhe match hi jeetwa ke nhi dena.” pic.twitter.com/kEYeuH8Nhj — (@CallMeSheri1) June 10, 2024 The discarded Pakistani batter claimed that 1400 of Babar’s runs in T20Is have come in the losing cause, which puts him at No. 3 spot in such a list. “Your (Babar) scores in big competitions…your average is 27 and strike rate is 112. And 1400 of your runs have come in a losing cause, which is at No. 3 in the world in that list. So these stats are of which king, tell me that? What should I do with this king who can’t win us the match?” said Shehzad. To conclude, Shehzad alleged that Babar got his friends into the team and fooled the entire public. “You have fooled the entire public. Aap apne dosto ke saath team bana rahe hain, dosto ko team ke andar rakh rahe hain (you are making a team with your friends, keeping your friends in the team),” said Shehzad. Topics mentioned in this article

Pakistan ‘Horrible’: Waqar Younis Rips Into Team After Letting Off India To Lose In T20 World Cup Thriller

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Indian bowlers, led by an outstanding Jasprit Bumrah, snatched victory from the jaw of defeat against Pakistan. Chasing 120, Pakistan were 57/1 at the halfway stage before managing only 113/7 in 20 overs. Pakistan, who can oscillate between the sublime and ridiculous, seemed to have the game in the bag needing 48 runs off as many balls with eight wickets in hand. However, the pace combination of the ever-effective Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) brought India back from the dead with incisive spells that saw Pakistan lose wickets in a heap to end at 113 for seven in 20 overs. Pakistan great Waqar Younis blasted his team after the loss. “India is such a good balanced side. If they don’t bat well, they know they have got Bumrah, they have got Siraj, they have got Jadeja. They have got their bowling also really really covered and fielding also. They are a super team. And Pakistan if you can’t win this game, then what should I say? This was in the plate given to you and you really spilled it,” Waqar Younis said on Star Sports. “It was a horrible performance from the Pakistani batters. There were few partnerships in the beginning, but could not really finish the game. The had the game was in the hand. It was run-a-ball. That shot from Rizwan was a very ordinary shot. And when his wicket went down, I knew it. I knew something very special gonna happen because we know capabilities of Bumrah and Siraj. And Hardik Pandya also bowled really good deliveries. It was more brilliance of India’s bowling than Pakistan’s poor batting.” Jasprit Bumrah showed why he’s one of the best bowlers in the world through his sensational spell of 3-14, including 15 dot balls, as India successfully defended 119 to beat Pakistan by six runs in a highly-anticipated Men’s T20 World Cup match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. After fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took identical figures of 3-21 as Pakistan bowled out India for just 119 in 19 overs, with Rishabh Pant top-scoring via 42 off 31 balls, India clawed their way back in, thanks to Bumrah’s heroic spell, starting from him taking out Mohammad Rizwan. He also got excellent support from Hardik Pandya, who took 2-6 from two overs after conceding 18 in his first two overs. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took a wicket each to ensure Pakistan, who were 80/3 at one point, were restricted to 113/7, as India successfully defended their lowest total ever in T20Is in a remarkable low-scoring heist. With IANS and PTI inputs Topics mentioned in this article

“India Did Us A Favour”: Ex-PCB Chief’s Tears Into Pakistan, Says ‘Why Did You Let It Slip’

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Pakistan squandered a golden opportunity to boost their T20 World Cup Super 8 chances, going down at the expense of arch-rivals India last week in New York. After bowling India out for a paltry total of 119, the Babar Azam-led side failed to take advantage of it. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya shared five wickets between them to restrict Pakistan to 113/6 in 20 overs, helping India put one foot in the next round of the tournament. While analysing the match, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja said India did Babar and co. “a favour by playing poorly”. Ramiz expressed his frustration over the fact that Pakistan failed to chase down a small total. “India did them a favour by playing poorly. Actually because they were playing like mavericks, otherwise they would have easily gotten to 140-150, which would have been beyond Pakistan. But because of their faulty shot-making and some good bowling, Pakistan came back into the game,” Ramiz told Cricbuzz in an interview. Ramiz also criticised wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for throwing away his wicket at a crucial juncture, especially when Pakistan were in control of the chase. For the record, Bumrah went through his defense after Rizwan tried to play a non-chalant pull over midwicket. Ramiz felt that Rizwan could’ve easily seen the game off and said that there was no need for him to play that shot. “Because Rizwan was the last man standing for Pakistan. You see, the thing that frustrates me is that when you’re chasing 120, even on a tricky pitch, even against a good bowling attack like India’s, all you need is one solid partnership. That’s it. No heroics were needed, no fours or sixes. You were going at six an over. Why did you let it slip? That’s got to do with temperament,” he added. Pakistan now face a must-win situation in their next game against Ireland as a defeat would put an end to their campaign in the group stage. India, on the other hand, need a win against USA to secure their passage into the next round. Topics mentioned in this article

Pakistan crush Canada by 7 wickets to notch up first win in T20 World Cup

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Pakistan players celebrate a wicket during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match against Canada in New York on June 11, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI Pakistan batters finally rose to the occasion to beat Canada by seven wickets in their must-win Group A match and give their campaign a boost in the T20 World Cup here on Tuesday. Opting to bowl, Pakistani bowlers produced a unified show to restrict Canada for a modest 106/7. Chasing, opener Mohammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam took Pakistan over the line with 15 balls to spare. Rizwan aand Babar shared 63 runs for the second wicket to set up the platform for the win. Babar made a run-a-ball 33 with one six and a four, while Rizwan once again played the role of an anchor in a small chase, scoring 53 not out from as many deliveries with two fours and a six. Pakistan did appear to be making heavy weather of a modest chase when they had crawled to 28 for 1 in the powerplay with the Canadian seamers doing a fine job. However, run-scoring became much easier when Canada spinners came into the attack and with their vast experience, Babar and Rizwan brought the equation down with deft rotation of the strike and punishing the bad balls. Earlier in the first half, Aaron Johnson’s 52 was the only bright spot for Canada as an inspired Pakistan restricted their opponents to 106 for 7. On a two-paced wicket with the occasional uneven bounce making the rest of their batters struggle, Johnson waged a lone battle for Canada with a 44-ball 52, studded with four sixes and as many fours even as the Pakistani bowlers kept chipping away with wickets. While Mohammad Amir was the pick of the bowlers with 4-0-13-2, Haris Rauf returned with 2/26 while Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/21) and Naseem Shah (1/24) recovered well after wayward starts. The only Canadian batter to trouble the Pakistan bowlers, Johnson did not shy away from attacking on every available opportunity. It was his hits down the ground that caught the eye and he managed to clear the ropes with brute power even if he had not timed them well. But shortly after having completed his half-century, Johnson perished when he missed a Naseem Sham delivery to be cleaned up. With the burly Johnson dismissed at the team total of 73, Canada were in danger of being restricted for far less or even bowled out but skipper Saad Bin Zafar (10) and Kaleem Sana (13) took their team past the 100-run mark to give their bowlers a total to bowl at. The pressure was telling when Pakistan’s strike bowler Shaheen began with two full tosses on the pads and Johnson put them away for boundaries. Johnson cashed in again when Naseem began with a delivery moving away from the batter but he sent it flying over the field on the off-side for the third four. Pakistan’s first success came through Amir, who after being hit for a first-ball four, cleaned up Navneet Dhaliwal off the final delivery. Shaheen returned with a change of ends to get Pargat Singh (2) caught by Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan pulled things back by the end of the powerplay. Imad Wasim then produced a direct hit from cover to run out Nicholas Kirton (1) at the non-striker’s end, which piled up further pressure on Johnson who did all the heavylifting in the top order. Haris Rauf produced a double-wicket 10th over to have Shreyas Movva (2) caught behind and Ravinderpal Singh (0) caught in the first slip to leave Canada reeling at 54 for five, while also completing his 100 T20I wickets.

IND vs USA, T20 World Cup 2024: Team India eye better batting show against ‘Mini India‘ USA

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

Indian players celebrate a wicket during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan. | Photo Credit: ANI When Harmeet Singh made his First Class debut for Mumbai, Rohit Sharma was his teammate. Saurabh Netravalkar took the field at the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup alongside K.L. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Nosthush Kenjige played with Ambati Rayudu for MI Emirates. Milind Kumar once shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore dressing room with Virat Kohli. Harmeet, Netravalkar, Kenjige and Milind could not quite reach the highest echelons of Indian cricket, and moved to greener pastures in the USA. For this group, and a few more in the USA squad, a shot at redemption is here. In what must feel like an unlikely dream, USA hosts India in a Group-A ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match in New York on June 12. USA, primarily made up of players with roots in India, Pakistan and West Indies, is on a roll. The side started the campaign with a win over neighbour Canada, before shocking the world with a Super Over victory over Pakistan. Dream run From rank outsider, USA is now in with a real chance of reaching the Super 8. Belief will be high that another upset, this time against India, is not beyond reach. Monank Patel, born in Anand (Gujarat), leads from the front. Monank laid the platform for USA in the Pakistan game with a classy 38-ball 50. Ali Khan, who moved to the USA from Pakistan nearly 15 years ago, is a pace threat alongside Netravalkar. Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson is a familiar name in the squad. The American dream faces a severe test against India. The standout side in this tournament, India has skipped over all potential potholes. Rohit Sharma’s men have passed the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium pitch test twice. Batting first or second has made no difference to the outcome. The USA batters will need to raise their game several notches to tackle the phenomenal Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya has come on well as a wicket-taking option with his steady seamers. Stacked with all-rounders, Rohit Sharma has bowling options galore. On the batting front, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Rohit have found form. The team management is keen to keep the batting order flexible. This led to Axar Patel being promoted to four against Pakistan – a move that bore fruit. India will hope that Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav get going. Kohli has been unable to crack the code on this challenging surface, falling for 1 and 4. Suryakumar’s penchant for big shots has not worked here, as he too has returned single-digit scores. The crowd on June 12 would love to see a Kohli or Suryakumar masterclass. A fighting effort from the underdog host will receive equal applause. 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, Mohd. Siraj. United States: Monank Patel (c), Aaron Jones, Andries Gous, Corey Anderson, Ali Khan, Harmeet Singh, Jessy Singh, Milind Kumar, Nisarg Patel, Nitish Kumar, Noshtush Kenjige, Saurabh Nethralvakar, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Steven Taylor, Shayan Jahangir. Match Starts: 8pm IST.

T20 World Cup 2024: If you showcase this to world, it’s not great selling product: Klaasen on New York pitch

Danijones5 months ago07 mins

South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen in action during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match against Bangladesh. | Photo Credit: AP If the ICC wants to market T20 cricket in the USA, the pitch and outfield at the Nassau County Cricket Ground isn’t a “great selling product”, South Africa’s flamboyant batter Heinrich Klaasen said joining the chorus of criticism against the venue. The new drop-in pitch at the ground located in the Long Islands has been dual-paced with uneven bounce, making batting very difficult. India and South Africa have been able to defend totals as low as 119 and 113 respectively on back-to-back days on this track. “Obviously, if you have to showcase it to the world and sell it, I don’t think it’s a great selling product, but for cricket, it’s tight competition. It brings the other teams and the higher teams very close to each other,” Klaasen, who scored 46 off 44 balls in team’s four-run win said at the post-match press conference. The power-hitter said that all premier batters across teams would love to just get out of New York while the bowlers would love to stay put forever. The ICC has already acknowledged that the pitches here have not played as consistently as was desired. “I think all the batters are keen to get out of this place, to be fair. The bowlers would love to stay here but – no we’ve done our job that was the goal to win three out of three here. Obviously, it was a little bit harder than what we thought,” he said. “For us, it’s very nerve-wracking, because every game becomes a really big game. There’s no easy games for us especially in our group. So, it’s still good entertaining cricket. Everyone is on the edge of their seats and any team can beat any team on the down this on this field.” Klaasen was a part of the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket last year and when asked if he has enjoyed this ICC project of trying to market cricket in a new city with a temporary stadium, his answer was a mixed one. “Yes and No,” he said before elaborately explaining his take. “I played in Dallas and in North Carolina where I think there’s a little bit more cricket there. The wickets (pitches) are better so it’s easier to sell cricket in that aspect,” he said. “It’s fantastic what they’ve done with the stadium here and I think as the wicket matures, but obviously I think they’re taking it out in two – three days’ time so that doesn’t help,” Klaasen explained. “The more the wicket matures, the better these conditions will get and I think it will be a better showcase for the people. This wicket is I think, four months old, so there’s a lot of maturity that needs to go into the wicket that will produce bigger scores.” Klaasen was an integral part of a very successful Sunrisers Hyderabad batting unit which redefined Powerplay in this year’s IPL with the help of an Impact Player and flat batting decks. The towering batter said that one month is ancient history now. “Yeah, it’s a big change you see scores there — well it was a month and a half ago we were part of a score that’s 270 — 260 so it’s well off, but it’s part of the game. “It doesn’t look like the Caribbean wickets are too much better. So, we have to play smart cricket and use our cricket brain a little bit more.” He feels that once the Super Eight starts in the West Indies, the par-score will be 160 plus. “Out of us all, the thing on stats that are out of 18 games, it’s only been one score above 200. So normally in the Caribbean, it’s about 160 as par. If you get to 160-170, you’re in a good shot and you have to bowl well. “So, I reckon that’s normally the good scores there, or power scores. Depending where you play, the wickets are very different around the Caribbean.”

T20 World Cup 2024: Australia faces Namibia with an eye on Super Eight; Sri Lanka in must-win situation against Nepal

Danijones5 months ago06 mins

Living up to the favourites tag with two consecutive wins, a confident Australia will aim to secure a Super Eight berth when they face lower-ranked Namibia in their Group B T20 World Cup clash in North Sound on June 12. Australia fired in unison to become the first team in this edition of the tournament to score 200-plus runs in a one-sided 36-run win over arch-rivals England in their last group league match. It was their second win from as many matches, having started off with a 39-run triumph over Oman. Beating Nambia will be enough for them to make the cut before they take on Scotland in their concluding Group B league fixture. Scotland lead the table with five points and along with Australia, are firmly ahead in the race to make the Super Eight at the expense of defending champions England who have one point from two matches. Their opening game against Scotland was a washout. Australia defeated Namibia by seven wickets after restricting their opponents to 119/9 in their only T20 meeting, albeit in a warm-up game two weeks back. Playing his last World Cup for Australia, David Warner has been in splendid form with one half century and it was his 16-ball 39 that set the tone for their 201/7 against England. Warner incidentally scored a fifty in the warm-up against Namibia as well. He has 97 runs in the tournament at a fine strike rate of 141.79. Warner’s opening partner Travis Head has also been at his explosive best and the duo will look to give the team a fiery start. Namibia will expect their veteran all-rounder David Wiese to step up after he starred in their Super-Over win against Oman. The globe-trotting all-rounder has the experience of facing Australia four times in T20Is during his stint with South Africa. Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz, who has been tidy conceding just one four and one six in his eight overs, will also look to make an impact. Teams (from) Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner and Adam Zampa. Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Michael Van Lingen, Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni, Niko Davin, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, JP Kotze, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Malan Kruger and PD Blignaut. Match starts: 6am IST. Sri Lanka in must win clash against Nepal Former champion Sri Lanka’s campaign has gone terribly haywire after defeats to South Africa and they are now faced with a do-or-die clash against Nepal in a group D fixture in Lauderhill, Florida. Sri Lanka campaign has gone terribly haywire and they now face with a do-or-die clash against Nepal. | Photo Credit: AFP Nepal, on the other hand, lost to the Netherlands by six wickets in their only match so far. South Africa have already qualified to Super Eight following their nervy win over Bangladesh. A win for the Wanindu Hasaranga-led side will further heat up the race for the second spot with Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal also in the reckoning. For that to happen, the onus will be on the batters. A loss, on the other hand, would mean curtains for Sri Lanka. Teams (from): Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal and Kamal Singh Airee Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka. Match starts: 5am IST.

Sandeep Lamichhane To Join Nepal T20 World Cup Squad In West Indies

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Sandeep Lamichhane will join Nepal’s T20 World Cup squad in the West Indies after missing matches in the United States because his visa was denied, the cricket association said Monday. Nepal had originally wanted to select former skipper Lamichhane, who had an eight-year sentence for rape quashed on appeal, but his US visa was denied twice despite intense lobbying. The T20 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States and West Indies. “Nepali player Sandeep Lamichhane will leave for the West Indies for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup and join the Nepali national cricket team,” association secretary Paras Khadka said in a statement. Spin bowler Lamichhane, 23, was once the poster boy for cricket in Nepal, but was convicted for raping a young woman in a Kathmandu hotel in 2022. That was quashed last month. “I am now joining the national team for the last two matches in the West Indies and looking forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers,” Lamichhane posted on X, formerly Twitter. “To all our cricket fans and people back home everywhere who prayed for me, I will forever be grateful for your blessings.” His social media posts with the announcement were welcomed by fans and filled with congratulatory messages. Nepal lost to the Netherlands by six wickets in their World Cup opener. They play Sri Lanka on Wednesday in Florida, before group matches in the West Indies against South Africa and Bangladesh. Before his rape trial, Lamichhane’s success as a leg-spinner had dramatically boosted the sport’s profile in the Himalayan republic. In 2022, when an arrest warrant was first issued, Lamichhane initially failed to return from Jamaica, where he was playing in the Caribbean Premier League. He was dismissed as national captain and arrested, but Nepal lifted his playing ban when he was freed on bail. It allowed him to keep playing, including at last year’s Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, until he was convicted in January. The conviction was quashed in mid-May. Cricket does not enjoy the same attention in Nepal as it does elsewhere in South Asia. But the sport has been growing in popularity, with Nepal given one-day international status by world governing body the ICC in 2018. Lamichhane was a major part of the rise as the most sought-after Nepali cricketer in lucrative T20 leagues around the world. The bowler’s big break came when he was snapped up for the Indian Premier League, the world’s richest cricket tournament, in 2018. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2024: Jasprit Bumrah Shines As India Pip Pakistan In Low-Scoring Thriller

Danijones5 months ago08 mins

The latest chapter of the “greatest rivalry” wasn’t high on quality but still provided edge of the seat action as a gritty India, guided by the redoubtable Jasprit Bumrah, went past an imploding Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring T20 World Cup contest in New York on Sunday. The Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a mid-innings collapse on a two-paced track to be all out for an underwhelming 119 in 19 overs despite a gutsy effort from Rishabh Pant (42 off 31 balls) after being put in to bat under overcast conditions. Pakistan, who can oscillate between the sublime and ridiculous, seemed to have the game in the bag needing 48 runs off as many balls with eight wickets in hand. However, the pace combination of the ever-effective Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) brought India back from the dead with incisive spells that saw Pakistan lose wickets in a heap to end at 113 for seven in 20 overs. The equation came down to 18 off the last six balls and Arshdeep Singh held his nerve to defend it and ensure another famous win for India over Pakistan on the world stage. While Hardik used the short ball well, Bumrah got rid of a well-set Rizwan in the 15th over before dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over that went for just three runs. Having said that, India made plenty of errors in the game including the dropped catches of Rizwan (31 off 34) and Babar Azam (13 off 10) early in the Pakistan chase. It was India’s second win in as many games while Pakistan succumbed to another loss after a shock defeat against the USA in their opener. Earlier, India’s new number three Pant rode his luck en route a chancy knock but other batters in the star-studded line-up could not apply themselves on a challenging surface. Pakistan dismissed India with an over to spare courtesy an all-round bowling effort with Naseem Shah (3/21) and Mohammed Amir (2/23) being the most impressive. India lost seven wickets for just 28 runs after being 89 for three in the 12th over. Intermittent rain delayed the toss and subsequently the start of the game by 50 minutes. Under overcast skies, Babar expectedly put the opposition India in to bat. After the opening over from Shaheen Afrdi, in which Rohit played a sublime pick up shot for six over deep square leg, rain returned to halt the game gain by roughly 30 minutes. Virat Kohli (4 off 3), who has an exemplary record against Pakistan, hit a glorious cover drive off Naseem Shah on the first ball of his innings post the resumption before getting caught at point off a wide and short ball two balls later. Pakistan had India under the pump when Rohit (13 off 12) departed in the following over by Afridi. The India captain went for another pick up shot but this time mistimed it to be holed out at deep square leg. The drop-in pitch, which made headlines for the wrong reasons prior to the game, had enough for pacers as well as the spinners but there was not as much uneven bounce as seen in the previous games. With India feeling the heat at 19 for two, they decided to promote Axar Patel (20 off 18) to number four to shield Suryakumar Yadav, a surprising move considering India bat deep. However, to Axar’s credit, the southpaw did play some bold strokes, including a six over third man off Afridi, in his brief stay. New number three Pant and Axar shared a 39-run stand off 30 balls to ensure the runs kept coming after the loss of openers. Pant, who got two streaky fours off Mohammad Amir at the start of his innings, rode his luck to a play pivotal knock. The gutsy left-hander was also dropped on eight before he gained in confidence to come up with a series of fearless fours. Three of them came in the opening over from Haris Rauf before he unleashed the reverse slap off spinner Imad Wasim. A 31-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav (7 off 8) took India to a promising 81 for three in the 10 overs. However, Pakistan fought back between overs 11-15 with as many as four wickets while conceding only 15 runs to leave India struggling at 96 for seven. Dube’s was a rather soft dismissal as he hit one straight back to Shah while Suryakumar tried to dispatch Rauf through the line but was caught at mid-off. Seeing the wickets fall at the other end, Pant did not hold back and went for a straight aerial drive to give Amir his first wicket. He got rid of Ravindra Jadeja the next ball through a regulation catch at cover. Hardik (7 off 12) had to bat around the tail but he did not last long. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article