Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, put on a superb display to defend their total of 119, securing a thrilling 6-run victory over rivals Pakistan in their T20 World Cup fixture at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, yesterday.

Chasing 120 runs, Pakistan needed 18 runs in the last over. Pacemen Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah managed to score 11 runs, but Arshdeep Singh bowled a tight last over to clinch the win for India, propelling them to the top of the group. With two consecutive defeats, Pakistan now faces increased difficulty in reaching the Super Eight stage.

Jasprit Bumrah, who took 3 for 14, was named the Man of the Match.

India, invited to bat first, began their innings with a promising six from skipper Rohit Sharma off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first over. However, rain halted the game with India at 8 for no loss, with co-opener Virat Kohli yet to face a ball.

After a 30-minute rain delay, Kohli resumed with a four but attempted to hit over the point two balls later. Usman Khan took a good catch off Naseem Shah, dismissing Kohli for just 4 runs.

Rishabh Pant joined Rohit Sharma, but Sharma, attempting another six, was caught by Haris Rauf at deep square leg. Afridi celebrated his first wicket of the skipper, who was aiming for a big innings.

India promoted Axar Patel to number four as a pinch hitter. Patel joined Pant, and they tried to increase the total during the power play. Patel initially struggled but managed 20 runs off 18 balls with 2 fours and a six before Naseem Shah claimed his second wicket in the 8th over. India was 81 for 3 after ten overs, aiming to surpass 150 runs.

However, Suryakumar Yadav (7) and Shivam Dube (3) couldn’t stay long. Pakistan’s bowlers pressured the Indian middle order, and Mohammed Amir took back-to-back wickets, dismissing Pant and Ravindra Jadeja (a first-ball duck). India was 100 for 7 after 16 overs, with their only successful batter, Pant, scoring 42 off 31 balls with 6 fours before Amir took his wicket.

India’s lower order couldn’t withstand Pakistan’s pace attack and were all out for 119 with one over to spare.

Pacemen Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf both finished with figures of 3 for 21, Mohammed Amir took 2 for 23, and Shaheen Shah Afridi took 1 for 29. The last wicket, Arshdeep Singh (9), was run out on the last ball of the 19th over. India fielded an unchanged side, while Pakistan replaced Azam Khan with Imad Wasim. The Nassau County International Stadium wicket proved challenging for batsmen.

Today, Bangladesh will face South Africa in their ‘D’ group match at the same venue, starting at 8 pm (Sri Lanka time).

Chief scores

India 119 in 19 overs (Rohit Sharma 13, Rishabh Pant 42, Axar Patel 20, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/29, Naseem Shah 3/21, Mohammed Amir 2/23, Haris Rauf 3/21

Pakistan: 113 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 31, Babar Azam 13, Usman Khan 13, Fakhar Zaman 13, Imad Wasim 15, Arshdeep Singh 1/31, Jasprit Bumrah 3/14, Hardik Pandya 2/24, Axar Patel 1/11)