In overcast conditions at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, Indian batters struggled and were bowled out for 119 in 19 overs by Pakistan. This is the first time Pakistan have bowled out India in the format. Also, this is India’s lowest T20I total against Pakistan.
India’s previous lowest T20I total against Pakistan was 133/9 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on December 25, 2012. India suffered a batting collapse after openers Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane's knocks in 40s. Pakistan won the match as Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik scored half-centuries.
This is also India's fourth-lowest total in T20 World Cups. Their lowest total of 79 came against New Zealand in Nagpur in T20 World Cup 2016. In the 2021 edition, New Zealand restricted India to 110/7. The third lowest of 118/8 came against South Africa in 2009 edition of T20 World Cup.
India’s monumental collapse
India were 81/3 after 10 overs with Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav in the middle. In the next nine overs, India lost seven wickets for just 38 runs.
Earlier, Babar Azam won the toss and opted to field first on June 9. Rain caused delay and interrupted after just one over was bowled. No overs were lost after the delay. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were dismissed cheaply. Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel dominated Pakistan batters in the powerplay overs.
Pakistan pacers staged a comeback after Pant was dropped thrice. He turned out to be India's top run-scorer with 42 runs from 31 balls. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir bagged three wickets each. Mohammad Amir bagged a couple of wickets whereas Afridi got rid of Rohit with the new ball.
What Amir said after a sensational spell
“As a bowling unit we did well but I still think it’s a decent total on this track. We’ll need to bat well. My role was to hit the right areas and build pressure on them, I think I did my job. We need to bat well and sensibly, all the games here have been a bit tricky and low-scoring. We need to start well and finish well,” Amir said during the innings break.
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