With all the excitement about the India and Pakistan match I was waiting for this day to enjoy the match. Does the match lived up to the expectations? Yes! It has exceeded the expectations and enternatained each and every one of the cricket fans.
India who won the toss elected to field first. With the new ball ability to swing either ways helped Buvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep Singh striked early as he got the wickets of both Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan in his 1st over of his 1st World Cup match. A dream start to his career. After losing two early wickets Shan Masood joined hands with Iftikhar Ahmed putting a 84 runs partnership. Iftikhar Ahmed completed his half a century and also hit 21 runs off Axar Patel in which he has hit 3 sixes of same over. After the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed fell while Pakistan where 91/3. In the next 29 runs Pakistan lose 4 wickets and where 120/7. Then the cameo innings from Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf along with unbeaten Shan Masood who has scored 52 runs pushed the total to 159/8.
When Indian began their chase as expected Pakistani pacers troubled Indian batters and took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav. For a surprise Axar Patel came in to bat at the place of Hardik Pandya didn’t do much and got run out by the combo of Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan. When Hardik Pandya came in to bat India were 31/4 in 6.1 overs. From there Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya took the responsibilities and put on a partnership of 113 runs at a crucial stage. When 16 runs required of last six balls, Pandya got out in the 1st ball of the last over. With all the dramas happened in the last over, India won the game by 4 wickets. Virat Kohli who has scored unbeaten 82 runs have been awarded Player of the match. With all the knowledge this knock of Virat Kohli will always be special for Indian fans.
Rivalry is temporary but brotherhood between Indian players and Pakistani players are permanent. The last over with all the dramas both the teams were friendly. This is all we need to learn from both the teams. Thank you India and Pakistan cricket team for giving us a memorable moment.
With love.