India vs Pakistan is always a match that brings around excitement, especially in the World Cups. Here was one such exciting game with the same build up it usually has when both these nations face each other in Cricket.
Before the 2000’s, it normally used to be Pakistan defeating India on more occasions than not (besides World Cup games). And for the past two decades, the tide had shifted towards India being the one dominating their arch rivals. If we talk only about the World Cup games, it had been India all the way, with 7-0 in ODI WC’s and 5-0 in T20 WC’s, until today.
Pakistan has not only won a game against India in their first match in ICC T20 World Cup 2021, but they have completely outplayed their opponents. There were three players that were much talked about from the Pakistan tank that would prove to be threat for Indians – Babar Azam, Mohhamad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi; and all three of them stood tall on the day.
The India-Pakistan game always begins with nerves around right from players, broadcasters as well as the fans. India, being sent into bat first were pushed on the back foot in as early as the first over with Shaheen Afridi getting out Rohit Sharma with his inswinger. Shaheen, for one has been the bowler who is in the prime form of his life in all three formats of the game. Coming into this tournament, his specialty was picking wicket in his first over of the spell more often than not. And he produced not only one, but two of India’s prolific T20 batters in the first spell itself.
Rarely have we seen a bowler pick KL Rahul’s wicket in such a manner as early in the game in recent T20’s. That itself was where the game actually set for Babar’s Men. India although fought it out in the middle with a steady partnership between Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant and also managed to post a decent 151 on the board.
Pakistan for the past few years usually has been in situation, where they would bowl well but goof it up in the chase. There would be some random bad shot somewhere in the innings or a run-out here and there; but nothing such was on display on a day where they seemed more determined than ever. The two batsman, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, had entered the tournament on the back of such a fabulous form where both of them average above 45 in T20I’s. Neither of them gave India any sniff and played a complete innings with sheer calmness (which the cricketing world rarely expects from Pakistan batters). The way they ran easy singles in between the quality shots that produced boundaries showed that Pakistan were well-prepared to take on India in the challenge this time around.
Notably, Pakistan were also the better fielding side on the day committing their 100% trying to save every single run. All in all, they completely outplayed India in a match which could prove very costly for India going ahead in this tournament.
This was big and a sspecial win for Pakistan Cricket and their fans. Outplaying India in all three facets of the game doesn’t happen much. Also, they never got the due credit which they deserved for beating India in 2017 Champions Trophy Final, but this victory will definitely remain in the memories of every Pakistan supporter and the cricketing world.
Also, Pakistan won’t be content with this victory. They will definitely look to go a long way with this confidence booster. This is exactly what Ramiz Raja asked of them few days back when New Zealand and England withdrew their tours of Pakistan. He said, “there will be no use in blaming anyone, its only up to us, we have to win the cups, we have to beat India, and that is when the world will take us seriously.”
As far as India is concerned, they won’t be down with one loss and will be roaring to come back. The bowling combination might look on a weaker side. Going in the tournament, India will require strike bowlers who can make inroads or else they will be chasing leather in more games than not.
Losing against Pakistan in a World Cup game was going to happen someday. Good that it is behind them now. Like West Indies a day before, it might turn out good for India to have had such a game early in the tournament.
India will definitely love to face Pakistan once again in this tournament. But there are tough lessons to be learnt and a long way to go. Quickly enough, the next match against New Zealand could virtually be a do or die game for India in a manner how the Group 2 of the super 12 is structured. Virat’s India is known for come-backs and they will be up for any challenge ahead of them.
