Riveting cricket

THE fiercest rivalry in world cricket produced arguably the most spectacular Twenty20 match ever and perhaps the greatest innings by one of the most iconic batters of all time. Virat Kohli was at a loss for words after dragging India from the depths of despair to unbridled joy in their last-ball victory over Pakistan on Sunday.

His unbeaten 82 meant so much — coming at the biggest stage; the Group 2 opener of the Twenty20 World Cup, at the grandest venue; a full-house Melbourne Cricket Ground, and in a riveting contest between the arch-rivals. Pakistan will head to Perth for their second Super 12 game against Zimbabwe. They lost by the finest of margins and will have to show grit to bounce back.

Captain Babar Azam admitted that Kohli rose above the pressure. Two Pakistan batters too rose to the occasion. Counterpunching half-centuries by Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood allowed Pakistan to post 159-8 after the early departures of batting mainstays Babar and Mohammad Rizwan. They looked on course to defend it, with India reduced to 31-4, only for Kohli to snatch it all away. A dramatic final over, which started with India requiring 16 runs to win, saw Mohammad Nawaz pick up two wickets before bowling a wide when the opposition required two off one.

Almost a year after kicking off their campaign at the last edition of the World Cup with a win against India that inspired a barnstorming run to the semi-finals, Pakistan now have work to do to make it to the final four this time. The takeaway from the game will be Shan and Iftikhar providing runs when the opening pair failed.

The lower order wiggled too but pinch-hitter Asif Ali couldn’t fire. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi wasn’t at his best after his injury. Pakistan will hope Shaheen finds his form and may have learnt that including a fourth pacer in the playing XI will help. The good thing is that this is just the start and there’s some distance to go.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2022

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