Opener Mohammad Rizwan praised spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi for providing the spark for the 10-wicket crushing of India at the T20 World Cup on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tall paceman dismissed dangerous opener Rohit Sharma with the fourth delivery of the match for a first-ball duck and then had KL Rahul (three) and Virat Kohli (57) in an incisive 3-31 spell off his four overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His effort restricted India to a below-par 151-7 in their 20 overs, a target Pakistan overhauled in 17.5 overs without losing a wicket -- their first victory over India in six Twenty20 World Cup games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It also broke Pakistan's jinx of 12 World Cup games (seven 50-over World Cup matches as well) without a victory against India since 1992.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Shaheen got us wickets at the top of the order and that proved to be the turning point," said Rizwan after Pakistan's victory in Group 2 of the Super 12 stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Captain Babar Azam scored a 52-ball 68 not out while Rizwan hit an undefeated 55-ball 79 as Pakistan achieved their first ten-wicket win in all Twenty20 internationals. This was also India's first ten-wicket defeat in Twenty20 cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan said the victory was a gift to the nation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Congratulations to the whole of Pakistan and all our people as we were all waiting for this win," said Rizwan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This was my first game against India, so it's a good thing for me. I used to watch all the Indo-Pak matches on television and used to pinpoint where we made mistakes. But today's game was great and after Shaheen got those wickets we were confident we would win."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shaheen said the win was the perfect start to the tournament where the top two teams in each Super 12 group make the semi-finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We knew that we have to win this game as we had never won a World Cup match against India, so it's very heartening and welcoming," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shaheen said he had planned to bring the ball in as the dry pitch was offering some swing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I had a plan against Rohit and that was to bring the ball in," said Shaheen. "It swung and I got him leg-before wicket and that was the start we needed."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Indian skipper Kohli scored a valiant 57 before he was caught behind off Shaheen in the 19th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Kohli is a world class batsman so he survived that first spell but I know that he bats like Babar and I bowled to him like I bowl against Babar in the nets."<\/p>\r\n\r\n