It’s rare to witness a team lose a T20 World Cup match when the win predictor favors them 92% with only a few overs left. However, Pakistan managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, falling to a six-run loss despite needing just 48 runs from 48 balls with eight wickets in hand against India.
Playing at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first against India on Sunday. Rishabh Pant’s fearless knock helped India reach 89/3 in the 12th over, but Pakistan’s bowlers fought back, bundling out their arch-rivals for 119 runs in 19 overs.
Chasing a modest target of 120, Pakistan seemed to be cruising at 72/2 after 12 overs. With a well-set Mohammad Rizwan and the dangerous Fakhar Zaman at the crease, it looked like Pakistan would complete the chase comfortably. However, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh conceded only 41 runs off the next 48 balls, sealing a dramatic win for India.
Pakistan fans were left frustrated by their team’s collapse in the final eight overs. So, what exactly went wrong for the Men in Green? Here are three critical mistakes that cost Pakistan the match.
#1 Pakistan’s Fielding Woes
Pakistan’s fielding was subpar, contributing significantly to their defeat. Both teams dropped catches, but Pakistan’s overthrows were particularly costly. While Pakistan batted one over more than India, they still scored six runs less. In the final over of India’s innings, Pakistan allowed Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh to steal multiple overthrows, which ultimately proved to be the difference.
#2 Mohammad Rizwan’s Risky Shot Against Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s top-scorer, made a costly mistake by trying to hit big against Jasprit Bumrah. Rizwan had handled the Indian bowling attack well but chose to go for a leg-side shot against Bumrah, only to see the ball keep low and lose his stumps. This dismissal allowed India to regain momentum. Rizwan might have been better off playing for singles against Bumrah and targeting another bowler.
#3 Imad Wasim’s Struggle Against Axar Patel
Imad Wasim’s inability to score quickly against Axar Patel added immense pressure on Pakistan. Wasim took 23 balls to score just 15 runs, with his only boundary coming off an outside edge against Arshdeep Singh. He managed just 11 runs off the remaining 22 deliveries. While Pakistan’s batters struggled against the pacers, Wasim could have taken more risks against left-arm spinner Axar Patel. However, he repeatedly missed the ball while attempting cut shots, resulting in crucial dot balls that hindered Pakistan’s chase.
These three critical mistakes highlight where Pakistan went wrong in their chase against India, turning a likely victory into a disappointing defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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