Post-Match Analysis: India vs Pakistan, Men's T20 World Cup
India defeated Pakistan in a nail-biter on Sunday, October 23rd in match 16 of the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
What. A. Game.
This is something that will live on through the ages of time.
After choosing to field first, India took early wickets, getting both Babar Azam (0(1)) and Mohammed Rizwan (4(12)) out in the powerplay. With a score of 15-2 after 4 overs, Pakistan were struggling against the dominant Indian swing. Shan Masood (52*(42)) and Ifthikar Ahmed (51(34)) built a 76-run partnership that stabilized Pakistan, but a fast inswinger from veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami sent Ifthikar back to the dressing room. Shadab Khan (5(6)), Mohammed Nawaz (9(6)), and Haider Ali (2(4)) fell in quick succession, but an eventful cameo by Shaheen Shah Afridi (16(8)) brought Pakistan to 159-8.
India had a scary start, losing openers KL Rahul (4(8)) and Rohit Sharma (4(7)) in the first three overs. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav began a partnership, but it was cut short by a lightning bouncer from Haris Rauf that got Surya out. Axar Patel fell for 2(3) with an almost-comedic run out. At 31-4, India was in shambles. Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli were at the crease, and 129 runs were needed of just 83 balls with a required run rate of 9.4 runs per over. The two players put up a 113-run partnership that brought India to the cusp of victory. Then pandemonium unleashed.
Match Highlights:
An Up Close Look at the Last Over:
Pakistani off-spinner Mohammed Nawaz bowled the last over and had 15 runs in the bank to defend.
19.1: OUT
Mohammed Nawaz to Hardik Pandya: Full-on delivery to the stumps, Hardik Pandya looks to hit against the turn but mistimes his shot and catches an outside edge. Babar Azam takes the catch at covers. As per the new ICC rules, Dinesh Karthik comes on strike. 16 runs needed in 5 balls.
19.2: 1 run
Mohammed Nawaz to Dinesh Karthik: Full toss aimed outside off stump. Karthik comes down the pitch and hits the ball toward long-on for a single. 15 runs needed in 4 balls.
19.3: 2 runs
Mohammed Nawaz to Virat Kohli: Full again, Kohli drags it to long on. Great running from Karthik and Kohli. 13 runs needed in 3 balls.
19.4: 7 runs, No Ball
Mohammed Nawaz to Virat Kohli: Full toss slightly above the waist, Kohli dispatches it for 6 over deep square leg. The ball is declared a no-ball. 6 runs needed in 3 balls.
19.4: Wide
Mohammed Nawaz to Virat Kohli: Way wide off stump, Kohli leaves it alone. It’s called a wide, and the free hit continues. 5 runs needed in 3 balls.
19.4: 3-byes
Mohammed Nawaz to Virat Kohli: Nawaz bowls a cracking yorker and bowls Kohli, who was looking to sweep. Kohli and Karthik take 3 runs while the ball flies away. 2 runs needed in 2 balls.
19.5: OUT
Mohammed Nawaz to Dinesh Karthik: Nawaz bowls full outside leg stump, and Karthik moves over to try and sweep it. He misses, and Rizwan stumps him from behind. Ravichandran Ashwin now comes on strike. 2 needed off 1.
19.6: Wide
Mohammed Nawaz to Ravichandran Ashwin: Nawaz bowls full outside leg stump again, and Ashwin leaves it alone. The ball is called a wide. 1 run needed in 1 ball.
19.6: 1 run
Mohammed Nawaz to Ravichandran Ashwin: Nawaz bowls full and to center stump, and Ashwin hits it over mid-off to score the winning runs. India win by 4 wickets!
Some Important Observations from This Match:
Virat Kohli was the pillar of the Indian side in this game, with a match-winning knock of 83 runs off just 53 balls. His amazing performance under pressure has shut down all critics and shows us all why he’s called the King.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s poor form continues, and should be a worry for the Indian team management. Sharma hasn’t hit over 15 runs since the game against Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup on September 6th, 2022, and it’s starting to get worrisome that he isn’t able to handle the pressure of leading the Indian side.
Axar Patel’s poor exhibition in both batting and bowling is worrisome, and the BCCI may want to consider switching him out for left-handed wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. If Axar wants to stay on the Indian team after the return of all-star Ravindra Jadeja from injury, he needs to significantly improve in both departments.
Arshdeep Singh, the 23-year-old left-arm seamer, has proven his capability as a bowler by dismissing legendary Pakistani openers Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan in his first two overs. He has a bright future, and we all are looking forward to seeing him at the forefront of the Indian bowling attack.