T20 World Cup 2024
Team India Miraculously Defends 119 Runs Against Pakistan
By CricShots - Jun 10, 2024 1:37 am
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In a thrilling encounter, the Indian men’s cricket team pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by six runs in their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. Team India, sent in to bat first, struggled on a tricky pitch and were bowled out for just 119 runs in 19 overs. Rishabh Pant was the only batsman to show some resilience, scoring 42 off 31 balls, while Pakistan’s Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each took three wickets to dismantle the Indian batting lineup.

Team India
Jasprit Bumrah took Team India to a miraculous win

Chasing a modest total, Pakistan appeared to be in control until the 15th over. However, some brilliant death bowling by the Indian bowlers restricted Pakistan to 113 runs, marking the lowest total ever defended by Team India in a T20I match. The match began after a rain delay, and India’s innings got off to a shaky start. Rohit Sharma (13) and Virat Kohli (4) were dismissed early, leaving India struggling at 19/2. The damp pitch offered significant assistance to the bowlers, making batting difficult.

Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel (20 off 18) managed to form a cautious partnership to stabilize the innings before Naseem Shah bowled Axar. Despite Pant’s efforts to play aggressively,Team India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Suryakumar Yadav (7) and Shivam Dube (3) were quickly dismissed, and Mohammad Amir struck twice in successive balls to remove Pant and Ravindra Jadeja (0), leaving India reeling at 96/7.

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The lower order, including Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, could not contribute significantly, and Team India was all out for 119. Defending the low total, India needed early breakthroughs, and Jasprit Bumrah delivered by removing Babar Azam (13) in the fifth over. Usman Khan (13) and Mohammad Rizwan steadied the ship for Pakistan, taking them past 50 before Axar Patel trapped Usman LBW.

A crucial catch by Pant helped Hardik Pandya dismiss Fakhar Zaman, giving Team India a glimmer of hope. Bumrah’s reintroduction in the 15th over was pivotal as he clean-bowled Rizwan with his first delivery. With Pakistan needing 37 runs from the final five overs, the match was finely poised. Axar Patel bowled a tight over, conceding just three runs, and Hardik Pandya then dismissed Shadab Khan (4), increasing the pressure on Pakistan.

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Needing 30 runs off the last three overs, Pakistan found it difficult to accelerate as Indian bowlers maintained their composure. Bumrah was exceptional, finishing with figures of 3/14 from his four overs. The tight bowling and disciplined fielding ensured Team India secured a sensational victory, placing them at the top of Group A with four points from two matches. Pakistan, meanwhile, faced their second consecutive defeat.

Team India will next face the United States in their Group A T20 World Cup match at the same venue on Wednesday, aiming to continue their winning streak.