Pakistan Outplays India To Open T20 World Cup Campaign With A 10 Wicket Win

Cricket Image for Pakistan Outplays India To Open T20 World Cup Campaign With A 10 Wicket Win (Image Source: Twitter)

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten opening partnership after a beautiful setup by bowlers helped Pakistan defeat India by 10 wickets in the 16th match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. 

Chasing 152, Pakistan got off to a good start as they scored 43 runs inside the powerplay. Azam and Rizwan continued to find singles and doubles to keep the scoreboard ticking. 

With dew settling in, it was tough to grip the bowl. Spinners tried to control the run rate but the two batters continued to find the boundary on regular occasions. 

None of the bowlers looked effective as Azam and Rizwan cruised their way to the target and completed the run chase in 18th over itself.

Earlier, Virat Kohli lost a crucial toss and was asked to bat first. Shaheen Afridi breathed fire as he removed Rohit Sharma in the first over itself. KL Rahul was the next victim of Afridi's swing and pace. 

Kohli stuck at the crease at one end as Suryakumar Yadav too fell soon; India finished the powerplay at the score of 36/3. 

Kohli and Rishabh Pant added 53 runs for the fourth wicket and revived the Indian innings. Pant scored 39 off 30 balls and got out attempting a maximum. 

Pakistani bowlers kept things tight as Ravindra Jadeja and Kohli added 41 in 33 balls but couldn't break loose. None of the batters made an impact in the death overs as India reached 151/7. Kohli top-scored with 57. 

Brief Scorecard:

India - 151/7 
Pakistan - 152/0 in 17.5 overs