Jasprit Bumrah took 3-14 as India battled to a gritty six-run victory over Pakistan in a T20 World Cup thriller in New York.
Pakistan seamers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah both finished with fine figures of 3-21 as India were bowled out for 119 in 19 overs in slippery conditions after morning rain.
Rishabh Pant's aggressive 42 was imperative for India but their usually fearsome bowling initially attack missed some of its bite as their rivals reached 80-3 with six overs left, Muhammad Rizwan patiently setting about chasing down the total.
The game swung India's way following the Pakistan wicketkeeper's dismissal for 31 – bowled by the brilliant Bumrah, who spearheaded India's fightback when they faced defeat.
With 18 needed off the final over of the game, bowled by Arshdeep Singh, Pakistan could only scramble 10 runs as they fell just short.
India have now won seven of their last nine meetings with Pakistan in T20 World Cups, with one no result.
This victory at a stadium in New York - which will be dismantled once the US leg of the T20 World Cup is over - will be particularly sweet for India.
Not least because it pushes their winless rivals closer to the exit door and puts themselves on the brink of qualifying for the Super 8s.
Rohit Sharma adeptly played a tricky pitch in his side's opening victory against Ireland at this venue, so there was much on the shoulders of India's captain and most skilful operator.
"Rohit, Rohit, Rohit", the India fans feverishly bellowed from the stands when he effortlessly whipped the third ball of the match from Shaheen Afridi over the ropes.
It should have set the tone for a big total but when Virat Kohli drilled Naseem into the hands of point, and Rohit was caught in the deep attempting to repeat the trick against Shaheen, India's middle order was exposed.
There was no sense they might simply be happy trying to rebuild, though. Especially when Pant swaggered to the crease in that inimitable style of his.
The left-hander played with typical bombast and when he swung, he swung hard. A batting bagatelle, sometimes he connected, sometimes the ball flew off in another direction.
His six fours in a 31-ball knock were vital in getting his side to a semi-competitive total with Axar Patel (20) one of only three players to reach double figures.
Pakistan's seamers, however, showed superb discipline in the rest of the innings, with Naseem and Rauf excellent as India's last six wickets went down for just 24.
Source: BBC
BDST: 0804 HRS, JUN 10, 2024
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