ICC World T-20,Live Cricket Score: India vs Pakistan - 5 Talking Points

The cricket world's eyes were transfixed at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata as arch-rivals India and Pakistan locked horns with each other. The home side needed to bring their campaign back on track after a demoralizing loss against New Zealand on a raging turner.

On the other hand, Pakistan went into the match on the back of a thumping victory against Bangladesh. Beleaguered skipper Shahid Afridi looked to have recaptured his form with an all-round performance. Notwithstanding all the hype surrounding the clash, heavy rain added to the drama before things finally went underway in front a packed house. MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to insert the Pakistani batsmen on a tricky surface.

What transpired later befuddled the batsmen who would have thought that they were in for a batting paradise. The Pakistani batsmen struggled and could only manage a slim total which was overhauled with considerable ease by the Indians. Another chapter was added to the fabled rivalry even as Team India maintained their unblemished World Cup streak.

#1 Eden Gardens pitch surprises everyone

Sharjeel Khan could not quite come to terms with the abrasive surface

After the shocking performance by the Indian batsmen on a rank turner in Nagpur, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Sourav Ganguly promised that the pitch at the Eden Gardens would be ideal for batting.
However when Ravichandran Ashwin started his spell in the second over, it became apparent that the surface was exactly the opposite to what had been expected. The ball was spitting like a venomous cobra and spinners were again enjoying a good night’s work.

Suddenly, the strategies opted by both captain were thrust into the spotlight. Pakistan Head Coach Waqar Younis would have been wondering why on earth did they not select a second spinner.

At the toss, Dhoni had felt that the generous amount of rain could mean that the swing bowlers would give him an early advantage. In the end, the bone-dry pitch outwitted everyone including the teams as well as the audience.

#2 Akmal and Malik target the inexperienced Pandya

Despite pulling off a stunning take in the field, Pandya leaked runs with the ball

The Indian team's persistence with Hardik Pandya was as perplexing as the turning track. He had a rather mediocre outing in Nagpur and could not offer anything with the bat to go alongside his dwindling bowling.
His day began promisingly after taking a spectacular catch to nab the first wicket for India. However, it became progressively worse as the Pakistani batsmen broke their shackles by taking him on.

On a pitch which required an assortment of slower cutters, Pandya’s affinity for targeting the good length area acted against him. Though he picked up the crucial wicket of Shahid Afridi, the 22-year old was plundered for two humongous sixes.

The stranglehold was released as the run-rate started to blossom. While Dhoni’s decision to not use Yuvraj for a couple of overs was also a bit puzzling, Ashwin did not get to complete his full quota of four overs on a pitch which was tailor-made for him.

#3 Mohammad Amir vs Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma’s affair with Eden Gardens did not extend against Pakistan

Following his astounding spell against India in the Asia Cup, Mohammad Amir had garnered effusive praise from the likes of Virat Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar and Sourav Ganguly. However, Rohit Sharma played down the hoopla surrounding the left-arm pacer with an expressive statement.

When they were pitted against each other, naturally the expectations increased. Amir began impressively with a tight first over as Rohit and Dhawan were looking to play themselves into the situation.

However, Amir dismissed Rohit with a brilliant cutter which gripped on the sluggish pitch. The elegant batsman tried to carve him over cover and ended up lofting the ball into the night sky.

Malik judged a difficult catch to perfection as Sharma was sent back within the Power Play. Incidentally, Amir had also picked up the opener in that fascinating Asia Cup tussle at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.

#4 Mohammad Sami takes two in two

Sami castled Dhawan and Raina in successive deliveries to silence the crowd

February 17, 1999 was a significant moment in Shoaib Akhtar’s chequered career. Bowling as fast as he could, the maverick fast bowler picked up Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in consecutive balls to leaved the Eden Gardens stunned.

History repeated at the same venue, this time in the T20I format. Mohammad Sami bowled at blistering pace to shatter the stumps of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina which meant that he was on a hat-trick.

Despite being denied by Yuvraj Singh, Sami had evoked nostalgia with an over which upheld the tradition of Pakistani pace bowling. All the talk about the surface vanished as the 35-year old generated serious pace through the air.

Dhawan who was looking to unleash himself was done in by the lack of width. Raina arrived into the crease and was caught unawares as Sami ran through his defence to bring down the volume in the stadium.

#5 Brilliant Kohli leads India to emphatic victory

Virat Kohli showed his class on a difficult pitch to guide India to the target

Virat Kohli is renowned for timing a run-chase to precision. He once again weathered the Pakistani pacers and built a match-winning partnership with Yuvraj Singh. With the match on a knife-edge, the 27-year old displayed his big match temperament as he began to rotate the strike to shift the pressure back.

While Yuvraj was coming into his own at the other end, Kohli was at his imposing best as he reached his 14th T20I half-century. The run-machine opened up with an array of delectable strokes sending the crowd into raptures.

Despite Yuvraj’s dismissal, the Delhi dasher kept the momentum going with an effortless exhibition of batting. Though MS Dhoni sealed the match in his inimitable style, there was not a happier person in the world than Kohli.

Eventually, India triumphed by six wickets to resurrect their World T20 aspirations as Pakistan were outclassed yet again on the world stage.



source:sportskeeda

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