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Well, that is all that we have for you from what has been a clash for the ages. As it turns out, the rain delays were worth it after all - we just had a memorable low-scoring thriller between two arch-rivals after 4 hours of grueling cricket. Hope you enjoyed our coverage of the game - and a big round of thank you to all of you who tuned in - your insights sure made our coverage all the more colourful! Join us on Sportskeeda later today as we return with coverage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup - South Africa take on Bangladesh as this very venue. For now, this is Rajarshi Das, signing off on behalf of Shashwat Kumar. Good night!
The ghosts of 2021 sure have been put to grade - at least on a personal level for Jasprit Bumrah. He failed to make an impact with 151 runs to play with that day, but today, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both the batters who steered Pakistan to a thumping win three years ago at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium - and both wickets ended up being decisive in the context of the game today! Rishabh Pant was as safe as a house behind the stumps to go with what proved to be a pivotal knock of 42 in the first innings, Axar Patel played his part with the ball, the catching was top-notch towards the back-end, and in front of a vibrant Indian crowd, this Indian team proceeded to do what most Indian teams have done in the past - beat Pakistan in a World Cup match, doing so having come from behind at that! Two wins in two - India now have one foot on a berth in the Super 8s
Hardik with his hard lengths then dug into the pitch and the Pakistan middle-order, and the Men In Green, having been on top of proceedings well after the halfway mark of the chase, completely lost their way and succumbed to a second successive defeat in this campaign. Times sure are tough for supporters of the Men in Green - two close defeats in two, one against their biggest rivals at that, and Pakistan have more questions to address. As it is, it's tough to bounce back from a defeat of such magnitude - Pakistan need something really special to make it to the last 8 from here.
Rohit Sharma (India captain): We didn't bat well enough. Halfway through when we were batting, we were in a good position. We were 81 for three down. You expect the guys to stitch partnerships. We were 15-20 runs short. We spoke that every run matters on this ground. We were looking at 140 but nevertheless the bowlers came and did the job for us. It was a good wicket compared to the last two games we played here, hence we thought 140 would be a good total to fight with. With the bowling lineup we have, you feel confident to get the job done. But the never say die attitude in the team (did it). Halfway through the second innings we said if things can happen to us, it can happen to them as well. (On the character) That's what is required in a tournament like this. The little contributions from everyone make a difference. (On Bumrah) He's going from strength to strength. We've seen him over the years now and what he can do. I'm not going to talk too much about him. We want him to be in that kind of mindset until the end of the World Cup. He's a genius, we all know that. But hats off to the other bowlers as well. They stepped up. (On the crowd) There's no doubt about it, the crowd was superb. They never disappoint wherever we play in the world. I'm sure they'll be going back home with a huge smile on their face. Just the start of the tournament - a long way to go.
Babar Azam (Pakistan captain): I think we bowled well after the 10th over. 120 was a good total here (to chase). We started well in the chase and it was a run-a-ball (asking rate) but we lost back-to-back wickets. The tactics were simple - play normally, rotate the strike and hit one boundary at a time. In that period we played too many dot balls. The pressure was on us and then we lost back-to-back wickets. We didn't expect to play like that. (Thoughts at the halfway mark?) It was to play normally. We were not up to the mark after the sixth over. We didn't capitalize properly and we made mistakes in the last few overs. The pitch was a decent pitch. The ball was coming on nicely. It was a little slow. The odd ball you expect extra bounce. Obviously we need to win the last two matches. We need to sit and discuss our mistakes.
Time to hear from the captains!
Jasprit Bumrah, Player of the Match: It feels really good. We felt we were a little under-par. When the sun came out, the wicket got a bit better and we had to be disciplined with the ball. (On his game-plan) Tried to keep it simple. The wicket did get better and the swing was less. Tried to hit the seam more and focussed on the execution. The ball came out really well. (On the support) It felt really good. Did not feel like we were not playing in India. The people were really loud and that gives us energy in the field too. (On the plan for the upcoming matches) Focus on the now. We have played two games, played really good cricket. Nothing changes, you just stick to your processes and try your best.
Match summary:
India win by 6 runs
Rishabh Pant 42 (31) | Jasprit Bumrah 3/14 (4) Mohammad Rizwan 31 (44) | Naseem Shah 3/21 (4)
Having been set a target of 120, Pakistan just needed to play their cards right on a tricky deck. They sure had the batters to play the longer innings, weather the conditions and get the job done, and that was exactly what was happening.... until a certain individual going by the name of Jasprit Bumrah decided to make his impact felt.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan began energetically - the outfield was slow, and so the rewards for timing the ball was less. But Pakistan's opening duo ran really well between the wickets, finding the odd boundary in between. Jasprit Bumrah brought India a breakthrough, getting Babar to nick to Suryakumar at first slip, but by the end of the powerplay, Pakistan had the ideal platform to kick along.
Mohammad Rizwan copped a blow or two to his hands, but he marshalled along with a nervy Usman Khan for company. Usman, having played and missed on numerous occasions towards the latter part of the powerplay, survived a run out chance, struck a decent boundary off Hardik Pandya, but his stay in the middle came to an end once he played all around a straight one from Axar Patel first ball of the left-arm spinner's first over.
Fakhar Zaman walked in and got in on the act straight away, racing along to 13 off 7 in no time. Hardik Pandya, though, still had a couple of overs up his sleeve - on a wicket which best suited his lengths, Pandya went into the pitch and did for Fakhar Zaman. With six overs remaining, Rohit turned to Jasprit Bumrah, who proceeded to deliver the most decisive blow of the contest.
Bumrah went full and straight to a well-set Rizwan, who decided on having a rather aimless hack across the line. The stumps were re-arranged, and the enormous sections of supporters in Blue at the venue found their voice. A couple of really quiet overs followed, and the pressure began creeping in on Pakistan. Pandya struck again in his final over, rushing Shadab with a short one, and India were in the driver's seat going into the last three overs.
Bumrah went for a total of three runs in his final over - the penultimate over of the innings, getting Iftikhar Ahmed to hole out off the final ball of his spell while at it. Arshdeep Singh had 18 runs to defend off the final over, and he sure didn't disappoint. Pakistan, in typical fashion, ran out of fuel at a crucial juncture - they got the hopes of all their fans sky-high only to stumble towards the latter stages.
India, led by an inspiring bowling effort from Jasprit Bumrah, won this contest against Pakistan as a true collective. They bounced back when the chips were down, bowled their hearts out, fielded like tigers, and have just defended a total of 119 against Pakistan in a T20 World Cup match. Chak de India blares in the background as we prepare for the presentations...
Chak De! India is being played out loud by the DJ, who has been as busy as the players of the two teams. India have pulled a win out of absolutely nowhere - as dramatic as the bowl out win in 2007. What a performance by the Men in Blue as they make it two wins out of two. Pakistan's campaign now hangs by a thread!
20
overs
113/7score
W
1
1lb
4
4
1
runs
Naseem Shah*
10(4)
Shaheen Afridi
0(1)
Arshdeep Singh
1/31
19.6 Arshdeep Singh to Naseem Shah, INDIA WIN! AND PAKISTAN CRUMBLE TO A NIGHTMARISH DEFEAT! Excellent yorker to finish things off. Naseem does not die wondering but he just cannot get under this. Digs it out towards long off, and India win by six runs. Their bowlers have come up trumps, and Pakistan do not know where to look!