India clinches six-run victory over Pakistan in T20 World Cup clash

India edged out Pakistan by six runs in their second match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. Despite a promising start, Pakistan couldn't convert their initial advantage into a victory, falling just short in a close finish.

India's innings was fraught with challenges from the outset. Pakistani bowlers were in top form, with Naseem Shah striking early to remove star batsman Virat Kohli for just four runs in his very first over. This was followed by Shaheen Afridi dismissing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the next over, leaving India in a precarious position.

Axar Patel came in at number four to steady the innings, but he too fell victim to Naseem Shah in the eighth over. Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav then mounted a brief recovery, adding crucial runs, but Haris Rauf broke their partnership by removing Yadav. Pant top-scored for India with a resilient 42 off 31 balls, but his departure signaled a swift collapse. Amir's double strike in the 15th over, removing Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, added to India's woes, and they were bowled out for a modest 119 runs in 19 overs. Naseem and Haris were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, each taking three wickets, while Amir and Shaheen contributed with crucial wickets as well.

Chasing a modest target, Pakistan started on a positive note, not losing a wicket in the first over. However, the momentum shifted quickly when Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, for 13 runs. Usman Khan provided some stability alongside Mohammad Rizwan, but Axar Patel managed to break this partnership by dismissing Usman.

Fakhar Zaman (13 off 8), Shadab Khan (4 off 7), and Imad Wasim (15 off 23) came and went without making a significant impact, leaving Pakistan in need of a strong partnership. The crucial moment came when Bumrah struck again, bowling Rizwan out for 31 runs. Rizwan had been playing steadily and seemed set to steer Pakistan to victory, but his dismissal proved to be the turning point.

Pakistan's middle-order could not withstand India's disciplined bowling attack. Bumrah was exceptional, taking three vital wickets and creating consistent pressure. Hardik Pandya contributed with two crucial wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel each took one. Pakistan’s innings concluded at 113-7 in their 20 overs, falling short of India's total by just six runs.