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Pakistan secured a commanding 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup opener held in Dubai. Shaheen Afridi was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
Pakistan scored the winning runs without losing a wicket and with 13 balls to spare. (Image: TheRealPCB/X, formerly Twitter)
Indian cricket team’s sensational 13-match winning streak against Pakistan at the World Cups came to an end on this day (October 24) in 2021. The win also marked Pakistan’s first 10-wicket victory in T20 internationals. The-then Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field first in Dubai.
The decision paid off as India lost their three wickets in quick succession. Rohit Sharma departed scoring a duck in the very first over of the match. Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi picked up the wicket of Rohit. India’s other opening batter – KL Rahul—also failed to make an impactful performance as he scored three runs facing eight deliveries.
It was Shaheen Afridi once again who claimed the wicket of KL Rahul in the third over of the contest. India’s top order woes continued as Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 11 runs. It was Hasan Ali who claimed the wicket of Surya in the sixth over. India endured a horrendous start to their innings as they found themselves reeling at 31 at the loss of three wickets.
Rishabh Pant and the-then India skipper Virat Kohli weathered the storm and stitched an important partnership of 53. Pakistan’s Shadab Khan provided a crucial breakthrough having picked up the wicket of Pant in the 13th over. The Indian wicketkeeper departed scoring a quickfire 39 off 30 balls.
Virat Kohli continued his momentum and scored a half century. Kohli’s vital innings of 57 off 49 balls came to an end in the penultimate over. With Kohli’s dismissal, Shaheen Afridi completed his three-wicket haul. Kohli’s crucial knock comprised five boundaries and a maximum.
Thanks to Kohli’s significant contribution, India succeeded in posting a defendable total of 151 at the loss of seven wickets.
Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s most impactful bowler of the contest as he finished with impressive figures of 3/31 in his four overs. Hasan Ali also chipped in with two wickets under his belt.
Pakistan looked solid during the run chase with the two opening batters—Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan—appearing to be in fine touch. Despite India possessing a formidable bowling lineup, the Virat Kohli-led side failed to pick up a wicket in the match. Pakistan scored the winning runs without losing a wicket and with 13 balls to spare.
While Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 68, Mohammad Rizwan scored 79 (not out) off 55 balls. Shaheen Afridi was adjudged Player of the Match for his spectacular bowling.
