Dubai: Pakistan got the monkey off their backs, finally beating India in a World Cup match after 12 failed attempts in all formats.
And they did it in great style here on Sunday night, outplaying arch-rivals India by 10 wickets in the T20 World Cup encounter.
After restricting India to a moderate total of 151 for 7, Pakistan coasted to victory with 13 balls to spare.
Skipper Babar Azam and fellow-opener Mohammad Rizwan were never troubled by Jasprit Bumrah & Co. as they pulled off the perfect run chase. Babar remained unbeaten on 68 (52 balls, 6×4, 2×6) while Rizwan was 78 not out off 55 balls (6×4, 3×6).
Pakistan had lost all their previous 5 T20 World Cup matches against India. In the ODI World Cup too, India have beaten Pakistan in all 7 clashes.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi set up the historic win for the green brigade with a sensational opening spell of two wickets in two overs – sending back prolific openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
Afridi finished with 3/31 off four overs.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who will quit the T20 captaincy after the World Cup, anchored the innings with a controlled 57 off 49 balls and Rishabh Pant made 39 off 30 balls. But the lower middle order couldn’t get going and India had to be content with a moderate total.
Scores: India 151/7 in 20 overs. Pakistan 152/0 in 17.5 overs.
Result: Pakistan won by 10 wickets.
