DUBAI: Super 12s – Pakistan played brilliantly against India to chase the Indian score of 151. Captain Babar Azam together with Mohamed Rizwan displayed outstanding batting to win by 10 wickets against India. It is the first time Pakistan has beaten India in a world cup match. This is also the first time Pakistan has won a T20 cricket match by 10 wickets.
India batting first after being invited to bat took a slow start with Shaheen Afridi on fire picking up the wickets of Rohit Sharma (0) and K L Rahul (3). India were 6 runs for 2 wickets and after exit of Suryakumar Yadav for just 11 were struggling at 31 for 3 wickets. Captain Kohli (57 runs off 49 balls) played a star class innings under pressure along with Rishab Pant (39 runs off 30 balls) to help India to score a competitive score of 151 for 7 wickets. Shaheen Afridi picked up the prize wicket of Kohli to end up with bowling figures of 3 for 31 runs. Hasan Ali picked up 2 for 44 runs.
Pakistan openers chasing India’s score depicted outstanding batsmanship. Pakistan Captain Babar Azam (68 runs off 52 balls) and Mohamed Rizwan (79 off 55 balls) were a treat to watch and offered a master class in chasing. Rizwan and Babar Azam do have the record for 4th highest successful opening partnership where they scored 197 against South Africa in April this year. They also put together 150 against England in July this year. However, this partnership of 152 against India will always be memorable due to the sheer brilliance of the innings played by both. Pakistan scored 152 for no wickets with 13 balls remaining.
Shaheen Afridi was named the player of the match for his match winning bowling performance.(RZ)
[Image credit icc-cricket.com]
