The India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash has quickly turned to be a disaster for Team India’s top order failed to get going in the chase of 140. In a repeat of the 2021 T20 World Cup clash in Dubai, Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma were dismissed for single-digit scores.
The 2021 deja vu continued as Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed in the 6th over after a bright start. The team management decided to change the batting order and promote all-rounder and left-hander Axar Patel to number five. However, the decision backfired as Axar was run-out after making just two runs in three balls.
Axar’s dismissal followed a series of unfortunate events as he and Virat Kohli had a misunderstanding in the middle. Both Pakistan captain Babar, who threw the ball and wicket-keeper Rizwan thought they had messed up the dismissal. Replays showed that Axar was short of his crease when the stumps were dislodged.
However, the replays divided opinions as many felt that Rizwan had lost control of the ball and it was the gloves that smashed into the stumps and produced the light from the LED bails. After taking multiple looks at the replays, the third umpire decided to give it out.
Following Axar’s departure, Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli have a 50-run partnership on the board and kept India alive in the game. Although the required run-rate is still above the 10-run mark and the duo alongside Dinesh Karthik will have to bat out of their skins to win the match.
Talking about Axar, he has had a day to forget as he got to bowl just one over with the ball and conceded 21 runs in which he was smashed for three sixes by Iftikhar Ahmed and got the Pakistan innings back on track to put 159 on the board.
