IND VS PAK T20I

Right then, end of a fabulous Sunday in the ICC 2024 Men's T20 World Cup as India pull off another classic win against arch-rivals Pakistan in New York and Scotland aboslutely dismantle Oman across the Atlantic in Antigua. That is all from the weekend but it is a new week next up and it begins with a bang as South Africa take on Bangaldesh at this very venue on Monday, 10 June at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). You can join us much sooner for the build-up as usual but until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of India, Rohit Sharma says that they did not bat well enough and fell 15-20 runs short. Adds that they needed to string partnerships which they did not. Tells that they were aiming for 140 but he is happy that the bowlers came in and did the job. Feels that there was enough in the pitch for the bowlers and it is a good one as compared to the other games. Adds that everyone showed up with the ball. Lauds Jasprit Bumrah for his effort and says that he is a genius with the ball. States the crowd was superb and they did not disappoint. Ends by saying that there is still a long way to go in the tournament and it is important to stay focused.

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan says that they bowled well after the first 10 overs and would have taken 120 at the start. Adds that with the bat they started well but lost wickets and took a few too many balls to get going. Mentions that the plan was to plan simple cricket, pick up a boundary and get 5-6 runs but they played a few too many dot balls and the pressure got on the tailenders. Reckons that they weren't up to the mark in the Powerplay and made the same mistakes after 10 overs and says that the pitch was a bit slow and much better in general. Ends by saying that they will reflect on these two games and are looking forward to the next two games.

Jasprit Bumrah is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his game-changing spell. He says that it feels really good to get the win. Adds that they were little under par and that the wicket got better to bat under the sun. Shares that the key was to keep things simple and tried to focus on the execution. Further says that the ball was coming out of his hand nicely. When asked about the crowd support, he replies that it felt like they were playing in India and the fans supporting them gave them energy on the field. Says that going ahead, it will be important to focus on the present and will try to get as much confidence as they can.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, we had a delayed start due to rain and Babar Azam put India into bat. Pakistan started off well and got rid of Virat Kohli before sending back Rohit Sharma as well. Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant played attacking shots and got a few streaky boundaries away as well. Pant in particular was pretty lucky but did get crucial runs. There was a big collpase though in the latter part of the innings as the middle order crumbled and India sluggisghly made their way to 119. The Pakistani pacers were on it in this game as they generally are but it was Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah who bowled really well. Shaheen Afridi got a wicket and Haris Rauf did the damage at the back end but it was Amir and Naseem who certainly stood out.

Pakistan in general love chaos and a lot of time chaos loves them back, especially after an uncanny loss but this time around, they have let back-to-back games slip out of their grasp. At the halfway mark in the chase Pakistan looked comfortable but they weren't looking to go after the bowlers and just looked to tick along which was a fatal mistake. Babar Azam started on the front foot but was dismissed and then Mohammad Rizwan who was well settled and had started decently, just went into a shell and was even struck multiple times on the gloves. Fakhar Zaman was another one who came in, showed intent, got a couple of hits away but gave away his wicket. Once they lost wickets just before the death overs, the middle order seemed completely under pressure and even the bad balls weren't put away. They are now on the brink of getting dumped out of the competition and even if they win their remaining two games, it might not be enough to save their campaign.

Defending just 119 runs, India needed their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah to step up and he didn't disappoint one bit. Bumrah had read the pitch really well and every over that he bowled kept on turning the tide in India's favor. He finished with 3 for 14 with 15 dot balls and won the game for his side. Apart from him, the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya and even Axar Patel bowled well at different stages of the game. That sedate over from Axar that was snuck in just after the 15th over did have an impact as well. Siraj bowled brilliantly up top and Pandya got crucial wickets whilst remaining fairly economical. All in all, Rohit Sharma and co didn't lose hope and took full advantage of their opportunities and now go top of their group.

A COMEBACK OF EPIC PORPORTIONS AND THE MEN IN BLUE HAVE DONE IT! Absolute elation in the blue corner and heartbreak in the green corner as Pakistan have gone from being firm favorites to being handed their second-successive loss. India meanhwile just kept chipping away with concedings just 4-5 runs in an over and got it to a point from where they could pile on the pressure, and boy, they did it extremely well. Never a dull day when it is a India vs Pakistan clash and even after all the rain and the long wait times, we have witnessed an enthralling contest.

THAT'S IT! INDIA HAVE DONE IT! Arshdeep Singh steams in from over the wicket and nails the yorker, at the stumps, Naseem Shah can only dig it out to long off for just a single. Dejected faces in the Pakistan dugout. Joy and ecstasy are on the faces of Indian players and fans alike. India win by 6 runs!

FOUR! A boundary but it will not be enough for Pakistan. That should do it for India and now, Arshdeep Singh needs to ensure that he does not concede any extras here. Angling away, fuller as well, Naseem Shah slices it in the air towards deep point where Virat Kohli sprints and puts in a dive to his right but the ball evades him.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Keeps Pakistan in the game does Naseem. Arshdeep goes searching for the yorker but misses his mark slightly, low full toss, on off, Naseem Shah moves to the off side and plays the scoop over short fine leg for a boundary.

Leg bye! Nearly sneaked through! A searing yorker from over the wicket, aimed at the toes, Shaheen Afridi fails to get his bat down in time and gets hit on the toes. The ball rolls off his toes and the batters cross over.

Hurls it full and straight, on off, Naseem Shah clears his front leg and drills it along the carpet to long off. Singles won't hurt India.

Naseem Shah is the new batter in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Expertly held by Rishabh Pant and India could not have asked for a better start to the final over. Arshdeep slips in a yorker from over the wicket, angling in, at the toes, Imad Wasim gets cramped for room as he looks to jam it out. Gets an inside edge on it but Pant is equal to the task as he dives low to his right to take it.

What happened there? A lot of confusion and drama out in the middle and eventually, it is a review taken by Imad Wasim for a caught behind decision. It was given OUT onfield quite late and there were a couple of run out chances involved as well but UltraEdge does show that there was an inside edge. Wasim walks back to the hut as well.

Right then, 18 needed off the final over. Arshdeep Singh has been handed the ball by Rohit Sharma and will look to defend 17 runs here. Shaheen Afridi walks out to bat will be at the non-striker's end.