IND vs PAK: Remembering three low-scoring T20I nail-biters between India and Pakistan. Top three low-total thrillers between India and Pakistan.
The ongoing T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA has been the talking point in recent times and more so because of the pitches in place, especially in America. While we have seen several closely fought encounters, most of the games in the USA have been marred with criticisms related to the playing conditions.
New York’s Nassau County Ground which hosted three games so far, including a high profile one between Sri Lanka and South Africa has faced a brunt of criticism. The reason being the surfaces. They have been largely characterised by irregular bounce and have not aided stroke play one bit.
In the three completed games, only once a side has managed to post a total of 100 or more, batting first. It was achieved by Canada (136) against Ireland. It tells how tough the conditions have been at this venue for batters.
This venue will also play hosts to arguably the most sought after game in this World Cup, India versus Pakistan, set to take place on June 9. Given how the things have panned out, we are likely to see a low-scoring affair between the two arch-rivals. Low-scoring games can turn to nail-biting thrillers and the matches involving these two former champs are always a treat to watch.
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In similar light, we will take an opportunity to recollect three low-scoring T20I thrillers involving these two sides.
India vs Pakistan, Durban, 2007
It was the inaugural World T20, and it was the very first time these two gladiators met in the shortest format of the game. And boy, it proved to be a classic as it became the second ever T20 international game to end in a tie.
Batting first in what was just their third T20I game, India managed to muster only 140/9 and it was largely thanks to a 39-ball 50 from Robin Uthappa and a decent support act from then skipper MS Dhoni.
When everyone thought it would be straightforward for Pakistan batters, India bowlers had other ideas as their disciplined bowling effort fetched them a tie in the main game, despite Misbah Ul Haq’s best efforts. With the victors of the tied game being settled though a bowl-out, India emerged victorious.
India vs Pakistan- Jo’burg, 2007
A near similar script occurred when these two sides met each other once again in the tournament, this time in the final. India batted first on this occasion as well and on the back of a superlative 75 from opener Gautam Gambhir, they reached 157/5.
Though it was a high-pressure game, 158 was always a chase-able target for a relatively strong Pakistan batting line-up. In what proved to be a topsy-turvy chase, timely breakthroughs from India bowlers thwarted Misbah’s attempt to finish the game for his side. In the end, Pakistan finished five runs shy of the target and Team India were crowned the inaugural World champs.
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India vs Pakistan – Bengaluru, 2012
In what remains the last bilateral series between the sides, India and Pakistan played a low-scoring humdinger at Bengaluru. Again, batting first, India could just pile up a total of 133 against a quality Pakistan bowling attack.
Like in the above two occasions, when it was expected that the visitors would coast through the target, they were made to sweat hard. Thanks to a magical spell from Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/9), India could hold potent Pakistan batting line-up till the very final over. However, fifties from Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik took them over the line.
Will the upcoming game at New York be another addition to this list? We will soon find out on June 9.
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