India defeat Pakistan by six runs, reach top of Group A points table
India win against Pakistan by 6 runs in low-scoring T20 World Cup encounter as the Green Shirts failed to capitlise on their bowling performance after the first half. Jasprit Bumrah declared the Player of the Match for his exceptional 14-3 in four overs.
The final over began with 18 runs left on the board for Pakistan, however, Arshdeep Singh deceived Imad Wasim with his pace, sending him back to the pavilion for a mere 15 of 23 balls.
Bumrah struck again for India as Iftikhar Ahmed went down without making a dent at the end of the 19th over. Hardik Pandya had sent back Shadab Khan in the 16th over as Pakistan suffered their fifth loss.
Bumrah came back into the attack for India in the 15th over, taking down Mohammad Rizwan who anchored Pakistan's innings with a decent 31 off 44 balls.
Pandya clinched the crucial wicket of Fakhar Zaman as he was caught behind. India earlier reviewed umpire's not out call against Usman Khan's LBW, which was overturned as Khan departs.
Bumrah took the first wicket for India as Captain Babar Azam was caught in the slip in the fifth over while Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja put the brakes on Pakistan's boundaries.
Pakistan opened with Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to chase down India's unexpectedly-low target of 120.
Arshdeep Singh took the new ball for India, giving away 9 runs in the first over. Mohammad Siraj gives away 6 runs, taking Pakistan to 15-0.
India's Innings
Pakistan bowled out archrivals India for 119 in the last over as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three wickets each while Mohammad Amir bagged two in a splended display of pace bowling.
"I think we did well as a bowling unit, but this is a decent total on this track. We need to bat well and sensibly. It's a bit tricky. We need to start well and finish well," Amir said at the end of the Indian innings
Rauf was on a hat-trick in the death overs as he took down dangerous-looking Hardik Pandya and tail-ender Jasprit Bumrah. Amir was also on a hat-trick after taking down Rishabh Pant and Jadeja.
Naseem Shah got Shivam Dube caught and bowled and Haris Rauf took down Suryakumar Yadav with Amir taking a comfortable catch in the field.
Shah came back into the attack for the eigth over and bowled out Axar Patel. Iftikhar Ahmed bowled the seventh over and got hit for a four by Pant. Babar Azam also introduced Imad Wasim into the attack as he looked to slow down the run rate.
Pant dropped in the sixth over by Usman Khan during Amir's second over. India reach the first fifty mark with 50-2 as the power play ends.
Patel hit Shaheen Shah Afridi for back-to-back boundaries as he looked to rebuild India's innings after Indian Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli departed early.
Haris Rauf took a good catch for Pakistan as Sharma got out after playing a lobbed shot off Shaheen Shah Afridi's bowling.
Kohli caught at point on Naseem Shah's third delivery. Kohli hit Naseem Shah for a four on the first delivery after play resumed.
Rain Delays
The T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India resumes at 9 pm PST amid frequent rain interruptions with India at 8-0 after the first over. The toss for the rain-hit match was earlier also delayed due to light drizzle and overcast conditions.
Sharma took on Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over with a six on just the third delivery as rain stopped play once again after the end of the first over with India at 8-0. Kohli faced the first delivery after the resumption.
Toss Update
Pakistan's captain Babar Azam won the toss in the crucial T20 World Cup encounter against India and elected to bowl first. First delivery of the match expected to be bowled at 8:20 pm PST.
After winning the toss, Azam announced one change to the squad as the Green Shirts bring in all-rounder Imad Wasim in place of Azam Khan. Toss for the highly-anticipated Pakistan vs India T20 World Cup encounter in New York. was earlier delayed due to rain.
The pitch at Nassau County International Stadium has been put under covers. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Overcast conditions were witnessed above the sky in New York earlier during the day that was followed by light drizzle.
The pitch at Nassau County International Stadium has been put under covers. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The light rain saw the covers being pulled up over the pitch while the toss for the match scheduled for around 7:00PM PST was also delayed till 7:30PM PST
The pitch at Nassau County International Stadium has been put under covers. PHOTO: EXPRESS
With tens of millions viewers tuned in, the blockbuster encounter is expected to fill the Nassau County Stadium to its 34,000 capacity.
Pakistan will be looking to rebound from their disappointing World Cup campaign. The Green Shirts suffered a shock Super Over defeat to the United States.
Compounding their woes, they missed valuable practice time at the venue due to a scheduling conflict with a match between South Africa and the Netherlands.
Fitness issues add to Pakistan's concerns, with key all-rounder Imad Wasim struggling to recover from a side strain. This has led to speculation about changes in the playing XI.
Azam Khan's consecutive poor performances have also been a cause of concern.
On the other hand India enters this match in high spirits, following a decisive victory against Ireland in their tournament opener.
The team's preparation appears meticulous and strategic, with key decisions such as promoting Virat Kohli to open alongside Rohit Sharma and having Jasprit Bumrah spearhead the bowling attack.
A warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County Stadium has further acclimated them to the pitch and local conditions, providing a significant advantage.