India knock out Pakistan in nailbiting thriller
Pakistan nearly made a terrific comeback from a losing position with India snatching defeat from the jaws of victory but a late blitz from Raina and Harbhajan Singh took India through
After electing to bat on a good track, Pakistan openers started slowly but steadily, adding 71 for the first wicket, which included 41 runs in the Quick Start Overs followed by 26 in the Bowling Powerplay. After Farhat was dismissed Butt added another 73 with Shoaib Malik for the second wicket as Pakistan looked in a great position to put forth a great score. However, Malik’s dismissal put the brakes on the scoring as Pakistan slipped to 159/4 in the 33rd over. Afridi and Umar Akmal tried to do the repair job but just when the partnership was looking good, Akmal was dismissed and Pakistan started losing wickets at regular intervals. They were in grave danger of being bowled out well under 50 overs when Kamran Akmal played a breath-taking knock of 51 from 41 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes taking Pakistan to 267. Butt top-scored with 74, finishing with a Batting Momentum of 94 while Praveen Kumar picked up 3/53 in his 10 overs, earning a Bowling Efficiency of 170.
During the run-chase, India were very cautious and lost Sehwag and Kohli early, the former hurting his hip as well as India managed 46/0 in the Quick Start Overs followed by 19/1 in the Bowling Powerplay. But a 98-run stand between Gautam Gambhir and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni almost sealed the game for India when Gambhir’s dismissal against the run of play saw India slip from 180/2 to 219/6. However, a 43-run stand between Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh revived brought India back in the game with Harbhajan finishing off the game with a massive six of Mohammad Aamer in the final over, scoring 43/1 in the Batting Powerplay. Gambhir top-scored with 83, earning a Batting Momentum of 104 while Ajmal picked up 3/56 in his 10 overs, earning a Bowling Efficiency of 161.
Both the teams were neck-to-neck in the Castrol Index and in spite of Pakistan doing very well in the Extreme Performance Overs, India finished with an Overall Castrol Index of 175 compared to Pakistan’s 157. GAUTAM GAMBHIR was named the MAN-OF-THE-MATCH for his match-winning 83, finishing with an Overall Castrol Index of 155. Pakistan next take on Bangladesh on Monday while India meet Sri Lanka, both the games being dead rubbers as by virtue of this victory, India have joined Sri Lanka in the finals, knocking Pakistan and Bangladesh out.
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