Razeen Gutta
Sunday’s T20 international between arch rivals India and Pakistan was a highly watchable affair; and the rare match between the two sides will not be the last time they face off this year.
The cricketing giants resumed their 74-year-old rivalry knowing full well that the Asia Cup this year could see them face-off up to three times if both sides go all the way to the final.
This competition will be followed by an ICC T20 World Cup encounter in Melbourne on 23 October and the sides could play again in the knockout stages of the Australia spectacle, too.
The Asian neighbours have not played a Test since 2007 and have been unable to play series against each other in either of their home grounds due to political tensions between the two countries.
And so, the eyes of the world were laser focused on the Dubai International Stadium as India came out winners of a game which had absolutely everything.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and put Pakistan into bat first, with the Indian bowlers getting off to a flyer with two breakthroughs in the powerplay.
World number one T20 batter and Pakistan captain Babar Azam had all eyes on him. However it was veteran Indian bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar who stole the show in the first innings.
The 32-year-old picked up Azam for just 10 and went on to produce figures of 4/26, the highest ever for an Indian bowler against Pakistan in T20 internationals.
Pakistan were bowled out for 147, but their bowlers were adamant on giving it their all to take the game to the very end.
That was exactly what happened as Mohammad Nawaaz picked up Rohit Sharma after debutant Naseem Shah got KL Rahul out in the first over of the run chase.
For team India, the attention was on Virat Kohli, who has struggled for form of late. The Royal Challengers Bangalore man had a nervy start after being dropped early on but went on to lead the side through the powerplay, scoring 35.
Once he had departed, it was time for Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya to take the stage.
Pandya led the way for India in the middle and end phases with the IPL winning all-rounder, staying at the crease until the very end to help his country through to a famous win.
Image source: @BCCI
