Pakistan bowlers do their job successfully and skipper M Hafeez and former captain Shoaib Malik completed the job as Pakistan snatched final over thriller to beat India by five wickets in the first Twenty20 of the two-match series.Both teams were eager to get off to a winning start as it was a very much-awaited series between the two arch-rivals after a gap of five years.
Lady luck was smiling on Pakistan as they became triumphant and put India under immense pressure for the remaining matches. Pakistan never won a Twenty20 International match against but today they succeeded in breaking India jinx. That is a good omen for Pakistan team and it will help a lot in building momentum and confidence in remaining series too.Indian captain MS Dhoni was already under pressure over the Test series loss to England and came under severe pressure after today’s loss as Indians wanted to remove him from the team’s leadership.
Indian bowlers made early break through as they sent three top order Pakistani batsmen back to pavilion and at that stage Pakistan were struggling at 12 runs for three wickets. But Malik and Hafeez first steadied Pakistan ship and later on played strokes at every corner of the ground at their will. The pair put on over hundred runs for the fourth wicket partnership they tilted the balance in Pakistan favour. Hafeez completed his half century before being out of Ishant Sharma at third man at his personal score of 61.
Kamran Akmal, who came after Hafeez departure, nearly gifted the match to India at that stage. As Pakistan were needed 16 runs on 17 deliveries, the wicketkeeper batsmen played a maiden over and in next over threw away his wicket and put Pakistan in deep trouble. It was evident that Pakistan are going to lose the match but Malik maintained momentum going and took Pakistan home on the fourth ball of the final over by hitting a massive six.
Pakistan skipper Hafeez showed some maturity and made good decisions while ringing his troops timely and that paid dividend. On the other hand, Dhoni proved unlucky despite his good efforts and fielders backing. But India failed to achieve desired results in the series opener as they were eyeing to maintain their winning record against the arch-rivals Pakistan for not losing any Twenty20 international match to Pakistan. The victory will relieve pressure on Pakistan players and put the hosts under severe pressure in the next Twenty20 to be played in Ahmedabad on December 28.
Earlier Hafeez won the toss and sent India into bat first on a slow track and his decision paid dividend as India were restricted to 133 for nine in the allotted 20 overs.Though Indian openers Gambhir and Rehane provided good opening stand but after their departure no hosts batsmen could stay at the crease and thrown away their wicket because of good bowling from the Pakistan bowlers.
Two Indian batsmen fall prey to run outs while stealing a cheeking single that was not there. Saeed Ajmal sent skipper MS Dhoni back by claiming his wicket on doosra as Indian captain failed to read and the ball hit the stump and dislodged the bail. The decision was referred to third umpire and he after looking thoroughly declared Dhoni out.
Umar Gul played vital role as a senior bowler and chipped in with three wickets in his quota of overs and at one stage he was on a hat-trick but the Indian No 11 batsmen denied him. He bowled superbly along with Pakistan premier spinner.
Left-hander pacer Irfan who made debut in the match from Pakistan, bowled well in the pressure match. India were under pressure to deliver, captain MS Dhoni is under pressure to give results and India will be under extra pressure that if they don’t put it across Pakistan, heads will roll on the other hand if Pakistan played fearless cricket.
Pakistan must go with the same combination in the second match to keep the winning momentum going and any change in team might harm in the next Twenty20 game.
(courtesy : The Nation)