India faced a challenging day with the bat on a two-paced track, managing to post only 119 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan in their T20 World Cup clash on Sunday. Despite a determined effort from Rishabh Pant, who scored a gritty 42 off 31 balls, the rest of the batting lineup failed to adjust to the demanding conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless, with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each taking three wickets. India’s innings, which seemed to be on a steady path at 89 for 3 in the 12th over, unravelled dramatically as they lost seven wickets for just 28 runs. The match began with a 50-minute delay due to intermittent rain, which also pushed back the toss. Once the game started under overcast skies, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam opted to bowl first, leveraging the favourable conditions.
India got off to a rocky start. In the opening over from Shaheen Afridi, Rohit Sharma played a magnificent pickup shot for six over deep square leg, but the rain soon returned, halting play for another 30 minutes. Virat Kohli, who has a stellar record against Pakistan, showed early promise with a beautiful cover drive off Naseem Shah. However, his stay was short-lived as he was caught at point for just 4 runs.
WATCH – Naseem Shah Castles Axar Patel As Pakistan Dominates India In T20 World Cup Clash
Rohit Sharma also fell quickly, scoring 13 runs before mistiming a shot and getting caught at deep square leg off Afridi’s bowling. With India reeling at 19 for 2, the team made a surprising move by promoting Axar Patel to number four, a decision aimed at shielding Suryakumar Yadav. Patel, to his credit, played some aggressive strokes, including a six over third man off Afridi, contributing 20 runs off 18 balls.
Pant and Patel shared a crucial 39-run partnership off 30 balls, stabilizing the innings temporarily. Pant, who had a streaky start with two fortuitous fours off Mohammad Amir, capitalized on a dropped catch to score a pivotal knock. He showcased his talent with a series of fearless shots, including a reverse sweep off spinner Imad Wasim, and added three boundaries in an over from Haris Rauf.
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However, Pakistan’s bowlers turned the tide between overs 11 and 15, taking four wickets while conceding only 15 runs, leaving India struggling at 96 for 7. Shivam Dube’s dismissal, a simple return catch to Shah, and Suryakumar Yadav’s catch at mid-off off Rauf added to India’s woes. Pant continued to fight but fell to Amir while attempting an aerial drive.
Mohammad Amir struck again, removing Ravindra Jadeja the very next ball, as the delivery stopped on the batter, resulting in a simple catch at cover. With more than five overs remaining, Hardik Pandya was left to bat with the tail but did not last long, and India was eventually bowled out for a modest 119 runs. This score seemed well below par, given the conditions and the strength of Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Here is how the Indian fans reacted to the collapse:
Big collapse here from 89/4 to all out 1119. Now onus in on bowling to create the magic.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 9, 2024
62/3 after 8 overs followed by some pathetic batting to end up with 119 all out in 19 overs. PAK needs to be 32/1 after power play to stay ahead of this chase.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) June 9, 2024
Think Virat – the anchor – was needed on this type of pitch. 140 is a very good score
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 9, 2024
Whole India right now pic.twitter.com/CZrzih5Vrp
— भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) June 9, 2024
Rishabh Pant batting against Pakistan pic.twitter.com/hZ1OKNy8tC
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 9, 2024
kijiye batting batting
kheliye batting battingAHLUA BATTING pic.twitter.com/yggL9AHu8k
— cricket is over (@anubhav__tweets) June 9, 2024
Easy win for pakistan
— Guhan (@TheDogeVampire) June 9, 2024
