Kishan Blasts Rapid 77 in India’s 175-7 Clash Against Pakistan
In a captivating encounter, Ishan Kishan’s remarkable 77 propelled India to a total of 175-7, setting the stage for their decisive victory over Pakistan, who were bowled out for just 114 in 18 overs. This defeat reaffirmed Pakistan’s challenging history against India in World Cup formats, where India has secured eight wins out of nine T20 World Cup matchups and all eight encounters in ODI World Cups.
Kishan Blasts 77 Runs in India’s Clash Against Pakistan
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized the importance of a strong batting performance, stating, “Batting first was the better option on this wicket.” His team followed their win with a spot in the Super Eights, joining the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Struggle with the Bat
From the outset, Pakistan faced difficulties in their chase for 176 runs. Sahibzada Farhan fell for a duck in Hardik Pandya’s first over, leading to a rapid decline to 6-2 as Jasprit Bumrah struck early. Captain Salman Agha’s dismissal soon after left the team in dire straits at 13-3. With Babar Azam bowled out for five, the score plummeted to 34-4.
- Usman Khan: The only notable resistance from Pakistan came from Usman Khan, who scored 44 off 34 balls.
- Mini-Collapse: Following Khan’s dismissal, Pakistan tumbled to 78-7, sealing their fate in this crucial match.
Ishan Kishan’s Impact
Kishan’s innings was a display of dominance; he reached his fifty off just 27 balls. His aggression was evident as he struck three sixes and ten fours. “I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball,” Kishan explained. His significant contributions included 77 runs from a total of 88-2 at one point, before he was unexpectedly bowled by spinner Ayub.
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 77 | Unknown |
| Usman Khan | 44 | 34 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 32 | 29 |
| Shivam Dube | 27 | Unknown |
A Tense Encounter Off the Field
Interestingly, tensions were palpable even before the match. Suryakumar and Agha did not shake hands at the coin toss, reflecting the competitive history between the two teams. This match was only confirmed to take place six days prior, following a political U-turn from the Pakistan government regarding the encounter.
With a long-standing rivalry, India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a Test match for over 18 years and have not played a bilateral series for 13 years. This adds an intensity and significance to their encounters in World Cup tournaments.
