India Defeats Pakistan by 6 Runs in T20 World Cup Thriller

India successfully defended only 119 to beat rival Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring cricket thriller on Sunday and stay perfect at the Twenty20 World Cup.

After being shocked by co-host United States in the Super Over at Dallas on Thursday, Pakistan recovered well to dismiss India for 119 in 19 overs on another tricky wicket at Long Island’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

But Babar Azam-led Pakistan stuttered to 113-7 in 20 overs against India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s match-winning figures of 3-14 in four overs and Hardik Pandya chipping away with 2-24 as India finished strongly.

Pakistan appeared to be cruising at 80-4 in 14 overs but Bumrah then had Pakistan top-scorer Mohammad Rizwan clean bowled for 31 and Iftikhar Ahmed holed out in the deep off the last ball of a terrific spell.

Needing 18 off the final over, Naseem Shah (10 not out) smashed Arshdeep Singh for two boundaries before he left the field with tears in his eyes and was consoled by his batting partner Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan lost its second successive Group A game.

India beat Ireland by eight wickets in its opening game at the same ground.

Earlier, India’s batting lineup crumbled against Shah and Haris Rauf, who both finished with 3-21, while Mohammad Amir, who came out of retirement for the World Cup, grabbed 2-23.

SOURCE: The Associated Press