Photo Credit: ICC
Virat Kohli admits Shaheen Afridi’s blistering new ball spell proved decisive after Pakistan ‘outplayed’ India and cruised to a history-making ten-wicket triumph at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
The 21-year-old paceman blew away the Indian top order as his figures of three for 31 restricted India to 151 for seven and laid the foundations for a ruthless Pakistani run chase.
Captain Babar Azam (68 not out) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (79 not out) guided Pakistan to a memorable victory as they lowered their old rival’s colours for the first time ever at an ICC World Cup event.
Kohli crafted a typically-classy 57 in his team’s first innings but after India were reduced to 31 for three by Afridi, the skipper said: “[Shaheen] bowled really well with the new ball and hit the right areas to pick up wickets.
“In T20 cricket you need good execution to pick up wickets with the new ball, and he certainly did that.
“Credit to him – he put our batsmen under pressure immediately, ran in with intensity and bowled in consistent areas.
“As batsmen, you are forced to be a bit watchful. That spell put us on the back foot immediately and from then on, to get those extra runs was really difficult.
“They definitely outplayed us – there’s no doubt about that.
“You don’t win by ten wickets if you don’t outplay the opposition – we didn’t even get any chances.
“They were very professional and you definitely have to give them credit. We tried our best, we tried to create enough pressure on them but they had the answers. There is no shame in accepting a team played better than you.
“They definitely deserve the credit for finishing the game strongly and not allowing us to put any pressure on them.”
Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma – first ball – and KL Rahul with a pair of new ball thunderbolts to leave the Indian batters with considerable work to do.
Kohli’s well-judged half-century, bolstered by a swashbuckling 39 from Rishabh Pant, helped lead their recovery but after Afridi returned to remove the Indian captain – coupled with Hasan Ali’s two wickets in the middle overs – his side were only able to set their old rivals 152 to win.
Rizwan and Babar wasted no time getting the Pakistani response off to a flyer, with the wicketkeeper striking a four and six off the gentle pace of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the very first over.
And they dealt with a bowling attack of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja with remarkable efficiency to catapult their country to a famous win with 13 balls to spare.
It was Afridi who was awarded the ICC Player of the Match Award, however, and the game-changing left-arm seamer said: “We just tried to bowl in the right areas.
“It’s a really good feeling to win against India in the World Cup and it’s a special feeling for Pakistan – we planned and executed (this victory).
“The way Rizzy (Mohammad Rizwan) and Babar (Azam) finished the game and the way they played – credit goes to these two. It’s good for Pakistan to start well in our first game and we’re looking forward to more games.”
