By Entrant Writer – Nirmal Dhakal
Image Credit – The Mirror Live
Shaheen Afridi’s masterpiece bowling spell helped Pakistan to register their first-ever win against arch-rival India in the Global Event as they started the ICC World Twenty20 campaign with a 10-wicket win on Sunday at Dubai.
Electing to field first, Pakistan restricted India in 151-7 in allocated 20 overs. The Player of the match, Afridi, provided a dream start to Pakistan, removing both openers in his first two overs — both with brilliant in-swingers. In Reply, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam offered no chance to India with a record-breaking 152-run opening stand, finishing things in 17.5 overs.
Pakistan’s fast-bowlers put India on the back-foot within the first power play, picking up three majors wickets. Rohit Sharma (00), KL Rahul (03) and Surya Kumar Yadav were the victims of Afridi and Hasan Ali respectively.
Skipper Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant kept India alive in the match with 40-ball 53 partnership for the fourth wicket. Pant scored 39 runs off 30 balls that included two fours and as many sixes. Virat Kohli top-scored for the losing side. His 49-ball 57 was laced with five fours and a six.
Afridi led the wicket-taking chart with three wickets, giving away 31 runs in his four overs. Despite expensing 44 runs in his four overs, Hasan Ali managed to pick two wickets in his four overs.
Azam-Rizwan yielded the biggest opening partnership (152-run) in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup and comfortably took the match home for Pakistan. It’s also the second-biggest partnership for Pakistan in a T20 International for any wicket.
Rizwan scored unbeaten 79 runs from 55 balls including six fours and three sixes. Captain Babar Azam added 52-ball 68 consisting of six fours and two sixes.
No Indian bowler was able to put consistent pressure as Ravindra Jadeja was the most economical bowler, conceding runs at the rate of 7 per over.
