Outstanding performances from left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi followed by captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s brilliant opening partnership helped Pakistan secure a historic 10-wicket triumph against India in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2021 Super 12s Round 2 fixture in Dubai on Sunday.
The day started with Babar winning the toss and opting to bowl first in the high-intensity affair.
The home team were off to a poor start, courtesy of sublime fast-bowling from Shaheen who removed in-form openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul inside the first three overs.
India were soon three down when Mohammad Rizwan took a brilliant catch on the bowling of Hasan Ali to remove Suryakumar Yadav.
However, captain Virat Kohli played a responsible knock of 57 off 49 with the help of five fours and a six to help India post a competitive total of 151 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
He was well supported by wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant who scored 39 off 30 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes.
For Pakistan, Shaheen was the standout bowler as he registered figures of three for 31 in his quota of four overs.
Leg-spinner Shadab Khan and pacer Haris Rauf were also exceptional as they gave 22, 25 runs and claimed one wicket each.
While chasing a tricky target of 152 to secure a historic win, Pakistan off to a solid start, courtesy of captain Babar and Rizwan.
The duo looked completely in control from the word go and completed a 100-run partnership in the 13th over without losing the wicket.
While doing that, the skipper completed his half-century after smashing a huge six on the bowling of young Varun Chakravarthy.
Rizwan completed his half-century in the 15th over with a beautiful boundary on the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.
The pair went on to chase down the target in the 18th over. It was Pakistan’s first-ever win by a 10-wicket margin in T20 cricket.
Babar remained not out on 68 off 52 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes whereas Rizwan remained unbeaten on 78 off 55 balls, which included six fours and three sixes.