T20 WC: India Triumphs Over Pakistan by Six Runs in Tense Low-Scoring Match
A crucial bowling spell from pacer Jasprit Bumrah led India to a narrow six-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC T20 World Cup encounter at New York’s Nassau County Stadium on Sunday. This win places India at the top of Group A with four points and two victories from two matches. Conversely, Pakistan has slipped to fourth place after consecutive losses to the USA and India.
Chasing a modest target of 120 runs, Pakistan adopted a calculated approach in the early overs, with skipper Babar Azam managing only two boundaries. India’s bowlers struck early, with Bumrah securing the vital wicket of Babar, who was dismissed for 13 off 10 balls, thanks to a fine low catch by Suryakumar Yadav in the slips. After six powerplay overs, Pakistan was 35/1, with Mohammed Rizwan (17*) and Usman Khan (1*) at the crease.
On a challenging pitch, Pakistan reached 57/1 after 10 overs, with Rizwan (27*) and Usman (13*) still unbeaten. Early in the second half, Axar Patel dismissed Usman for 13 off 15 balls. Fakhar Zaman, who followed, hit a four and a six but was soon caught by Rishabh Pant off Hardik Pandya’s delivery, leaving Pakistan at 73/3 in 12.2 overs. In the 15th over, Bumrah removed Rizwan, who had scored 31 off 44 balls.
After 15 overs, Pakistan was 83/4, with Imad Wasim (7*) and Shadab Khan (1*) still at the crease, needing 37 runs to win in the final five overs. They lost two more wickets in the next two overs, falling to 88/5 in 16.3 overs. Bumrah’s clutch performance in the 19th over, including the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed, significantly slowed Pakistan’s run chase. Pakistan required 18 runs in the final over but could only manage 113/7 by the end of their innings, with Arshdeep Singh getting Imad for 15 off 23 balls. Naseem Shah (10*) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0*) remained unbeaten.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each took three wickets to restrict India to 119 runs. After winning the toss, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam elected to bowl first. Rishabh Pant top-scored for India with 42 off 31 balls, while Haris Rauf impressed with figures of 3/21.
