Pakistan got its revenge against India for the defeat in the last week’s group game. In the super-4 match held tonight, it had beaten India by 5 wickets. Pakistan chased the target of 182 runs in 19.5 overs and sealed the game in their favour.
While batting first, India got a sensational start from its openers Rohit Sharma (28) and KL Rahul (28). Both of them made a partnership of 54 runs in just 5 overs. When he was looking good, Rohit got out. Soon after that, Rahul also went back to the pavilion. Later, Virat Kohli (60) took over the responsibility and he got good support from Surya Kumar Yadav. Once the latter got out, India lost its momentum. It lost wickets at regular intervals. Though Virat fought till the last over, India failed to cross the 200-mark. By the end of 20 overs, it managed to score 181/7.
Pakistan lost its opener, Babar Azam, quite early in the chase. Later, Fakhar Zaman (15) and Mohammed Rizwan (71) anchored the innings. They made a partnership of 41 runs for the second wicket. Later, Yuzi Chahal got Fakhar’s wicket. After that, Mohammed Nawaz (42 off 20 balls) came to the crease and started hitting right from the first ball. He went berserk and brought back Pakistan into the chase. India needed senior bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to break this 73-run partnership. In the very next over, Hardik Pandya got the wicket of dangerous Mohammed Rizwan. But Bhuvi gave away 19 runs in the 19th over and handed over the match to Pakistan. Finally, Pakistan finished off things by scoring 182/5 in 19.5 runs and won the game with one ball to spare.
Pakistan will play its next game against Afghanistan on September 7. India will take on Sri Lanka in its next game on September 6.
