After a stunning collapse at the bat, India, Pakistan’s bitter rivals, defeated Pakistan for just 191 runs on Saturday, October 14, in Ahmedabad, India. With only 36 runs and eight wickets down, Pakistan had a chance to take control of the thrilling match at 155/2.
India, having won the vital toss, asked Pakistan to bat first on a pitch that appeared to be getting slower as the match went on. Despite being cautious against Jasprit Bumrah, Imam-ul-Haq blasted three boundaries of Mohammad Siraj in his opening over. The Indian seamers maintained a good length and continued bowling in the direction of the stumps despite the possibility of lateral movement. Siraj, on the other hand, produced India’s first breakthrough when he caught Abdullah Shafique leg before wicket with a delivery that was little shorter than usual.
Coming back with a vengeance, Hardik Pandya—who had similarly given up boundaries at the start of his term—aimed to smash Imam, who was falling behind while trying to drive. But when the two began to rebuild, Pakistan took solace in Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan. The hitters were able to progressively gain control of Pakistan, despite moments of nervousness for each. Rizwan first became more melancholy, even though Babar was making some really gorgeous moves.
Rizwan was batting on 14 off 23 at one time. He played brilliantly against spin initially, hitting boundaries with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Siraj was called back into the assault by Rohit Sharma when he was unable to move the ball further. But both batters demonstrated their skill by hitting Siraj for a boundary on his next ball. Pakistan was comfortably ahead at 150/2 after 29 overs, with both Babar and Rizwan looking in control. It seemed for a while that India would face difficulties
Siraj’s off-stump delivery gave India an opening after Babar scored fifty runs against India in one-day internationals for the first time (in seven tries). Nevertheless, few anticipated that opening would result in a collapse given the destruction brought about by the Indian shelling.
.In the same over, Kuldeep bowled Saud Shakeel around the legs after trapping him leg by leg. After that, Bumrah came back and got Rizwan out for 49 by using an off cutter. Pakistan’s situation improved in just 27 deliveries. Expectations of a lower order resistance were swiftly scuppered as India stormed to victory in the 43rd over of the match.
Pakistan’s Brief scores:
Pakistan 191 in 42.5 overs (Babar Azam 50, Mohammad Rizwan 49; Jasprit Bumrah 2/19) vs India
