Rain threw a curveball at the high-stakes T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Pakistan, winning the toss, opted to field first. India's start was far from ideal, losing their star openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early.
In a surprising move, the team sent in all-rounder Axar Patel at number four. Though his knock was cut short by Naseem Shah, Patel made the most of his opportunity. His 20-run innings, laced with two boundaries and a six, etched him into the record books. Patel now holds the distinction of the highest-scoring Indian number four batsman against Pakistan in a T20 World Cup match.
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Axar notched unique record
India's batting faltered early in their crucial T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Virat Kohli, dismissed for a mere 4 runs, recorded his lowest score ever against Pakistan in T20 cricket. Rohit Sharma followed soon after, departing for 13 runs. However, a glimmer of hope emerged with a 38-run partnership between Axar Patel, who smashed a record-breaking 20 runs while batting at no.4, and Rishabh Pant, who managed a valiant 42. Unfortunately, Pakistan's pace attack roared back, spearheaded by Naseem Shah's impressive 3-wicket haul and Mohammad Amir's 2 wickets. In his 18-ball innings, Axar Patel smashed two boundaries and a six, mustering a valuable 20 runs. This brief cameo etched his name in history as the highest-scoring Indian number four batsman against Pakistan in a T20 World Cup match. Unfortunately, his stay at the crease was cut short by Naseem Shah's delivery that rattled his stumps.
India's middle order crumbled, with Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya all dismissed for single-digit scores. The pressure is now firmly on India's bowlers to defend a potentially precarious total.
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Haris Rauf compounded India's woes by picking up two crucial wickets in a single over, further diminishing their chances of a substantial total. India's batting woes culminated in their dismissal for a meager 119 runs. This sets a target of just 120 runs for Pakistan to chase for victory.
India's batting performance against Pakistan was a historic low. Their score of 119 marks their weakest total against Pakistan in T20Is in the last 17 years. This dismal showing extends further, ranking as India's third-lowest score ever batting first in a T20 World Cup.
India’s lowest T20I totals against Pakistan
119 – IND v PAK, New York 2024*
133/9 – IND v PAK, Bengaluru 2012 – Result: Lost
141/9 – IND v PAK, Durban 2008 – Result: Tied (India won Super Over)
148/5 – IND v PAK, Dubai 2022 – Result: Won
151/7 – IND v PAK, Dubai 2021 – Result: Lost
However, India staged a remarkable turnaround and clinched a thrilling six-run win over Pakistan riding on Jasprit Bumrah's back-breaking three-fer.
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