India’s Incredible Comeback Victory Against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024

India’s men’s cricket team produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by six runs in their second Group A match at the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York.

Sent in to bat first by Pakistan, India struggled and were bowled out for a mere 119 in 19 overs. Only Rishabh Pant, scoring 42 off 31, put up resistance as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three wickets each.

Chasing the modest total, Pakistan appeared to be in control until the 15th over when India’s sensational death bowling restricted them to 113. This marked India’s lowest defended total in a T20I match.

After a rain-delayed start, India’s innings faced early setbacks with Rohit Sharma (13) and Virat Kohli (4) departing swiftly, leaving India at 19/2.

With the damp Nassau County pitch aiding bowlers, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel (20 off 18) formed a partnership to stabilize the innings. However, Pakistan’s Naseem Shah dismissed Axar to derail India’s progress.

Despite Pant’s aggressive play, India continued to lose wickets with Suryakumar Yadav (7) and Shivam Dube (3) departing quickly. Mohammad Amir‘s strikes left India struggling at 96/7 after Pant and Ravindra Jadeja fell in successive balls.

Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj couldn’t revitalize the innings as India finished at 119 in 19 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah’s early breakthrough, removing Azam (13) in the fifth over, set the tone. Usman Khan and Mohammad Rizwan carried Pakistan past 50 before Axar dismissed Usman. Pant’s brilliant catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman gave India an opening.

Bumrah’s impactful return in the 15th over further dismantled Pakistan as he bowled Rizwan. With 37 to get from five overs, Pakistan had a slight edge due to wickets in hand.

A tight over from Axar, conceding just three runs, built pressure, and Hardik’s removal of Shadab Khan tightened the noose. Requiring 30 from three, Pakistan struggled as India’s bowlers sealed a thrilling victory. Bumrah’s 3/14 were outstanding.

The win pushed India to the top of Group A with four points from two matches. Pakistan faced their second consecutive defeat.

India’s men’s cricket team will face the United States in their next Group A T20 World Cup match at the same venue on Wednesday.

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 brief scores: India 119/10 in 19 overs (Rishabh Pant 42; Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf 3/21) beat Pakistan 113/7 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 31; Jasprit Bumrah 3/14) by six runs.