India hold Pakistan in another tight finish
Mohammad Hafeez’s blistering 55 from 26 balls was not enough to see Pakistan through. -Photo by AP
Yuvraj Singh’s dominant innings capped a fitting reply by India in the second T20 to sink Pakistan and level the two-match series 1-1.
It started after Pakistan won the toss and invited India in. Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane looked more assured and took plenty in the opening overs. Gambhir (21), Rahane (28) and Virat Kohli (27) all laid the foundation for the fireworks that were to follow. The Pakistani bowlers were guilty of not adapting to the conditions and were employing similar lengths to those at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, in the first T20. The fizz on offer in the first game was missing from the Sardar Patel strip and needless to say, the batsmen got it in the middle most of the time.
And Yuvraj Singh made full use of it. He not only blunted an off-colour Shahid Afridi but also took apart Pakistan’s main man, Saeed Ajmal. He finally departed on 72 from 36 balls, his 97-run partnership with captain MS Dhoni propelling India to 192/2 in their 20 overs.
Umar Gul picked up four wickets but leaked 37 from his quota. Mohammad Irfan, without a doubt, was the pick with 4-20-0. Sohail Tanvir went for plenty and the idea behind his selection ahead of Junaid Khan seems a little baffling. Mohammad Hafeez’s decision to bowl only one over was as surprising and why he is unwilling to bring himself on, after taking the reins of the T20 squad, is anyone’s guess.
Pakistan’s captain made up for it when he came out to bat, though, but needed some cool-headed support from his partners as he kicked on at breakneck speed. His 55 from 26, the second fastest fifty for Pakistan in T20s, coupled with his effort in the first match, ought to put a cork into all the ‘experts’ who were all to0 willing to discredit his usefulness as a batsman in the shortest form. Nasir Jamshed (41), Ahmed Shehzad (31) and Umar Akmal (24) all played valuable hands but got out to ordinary shots.
Should the in-form and now confident Shoaib Malik have gone in ahead of Umar Akmal at number 3? It was a tactical move that could have been employed but Hafeez in the post-match conference said the team wanted Umar to get the maximum number of balls. Afridi hit a four and a six, in what seemed like his first shots to the boundary in quite a while, but perished to a full-toss that maybe five years ago would have landed in the lap of a local fan.
It was another tug-of-war and Ashoke Dinda’s final couple of overs were perhaps the deciding factor. With Pakistan requiring 47 from 24, he returned second-spell figures of 2-12-3 and ensured India got over the line with some comfort in the end.
The teams, after what seemed like an exhausting two encounters will now head to Chennai to play the first ODI on December 30.
I think the way Pakistan batsmen handled pressure is admirable.Contribution of Inzamul Haque as a batting coach is visible on our batting performance.Now we should learn not to depend on foreign coaches.We have plenty. Mohshin Hassan khan has proved as head coach in past.We do not need big names. We need performers.I am also surprised that Hafiz is not using himself enough as a bowler.If cricket lovers has watched Afridi and Umer Akmal dismissal, it is not the first time these two players got out on same delivery and played same shot.I think it is the time to adopt the policy of rotating players and resting them like England. We can prolong the career of player and on other hand we will get new upcoming talents.
well played boys, no regrets, how many teams have scored 180+ in 20/20 match while chasing 192? be proud.
Watching cricket, India and Pakistan appear as two best friends playing against each other. As soon as Mumbai attack or Bagladesh separation enters the scene, the whole friendship things disappears and all you see is badwords , daggers, guns, granades, rockets, missiles and nuclear weapons.
Well done India and Pak . Hafeez is a new revelation for India . As for the Chennai ODI tomorrow , it is almost 8 am Saturday morning and the skies are murky and gloomy with light drizzle. Rain overnight as well. More than 50% chance for scattered thunderstorms tomorrow . May be it would be truncated match with D/L coming into play !
Sabash India, weldone men in Blues. Yuvi you are simply amazing, keep it up, good game, India zindabad
Both teams played well. However, Pakistan can do better if they replace Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi with two another good batsmen. Keeping these two is hurting Pakistan. Their time is over.
Excellent Match, what a thrill, Hafeez is a real Hero. some players need to think about thier batting performance
Well done green shirts.we are proud of you and well done hafeez.yuvrag showed his class.
A wonderful game. Congrats to India and Pakistan is improved much with an excellent talent. Win was expected by India due to a strong bating line, excitement was fight back from Pakistan and taking it to such a close finish. Go boys
Why do we see more people from Pakistan commenting on “The Times of India” and not here ?
Series are fixed!
Why didnt you said it when PAK won first match
Both teams played very well but Yuvraj bhai, tussi great ho!!! even after coming from your illness. May Allah give you health and a long career.
Ahmed,
Hope many more people think like you on both the sides. Hope some day we can be good friends
Lots and lots of luv
Ranganath
Bangalore
True sir, i want to be as broad minded as you.
Pakistan should be proud of Hafeez
Once more, it is The Game that brings excitement, emotions and joy to “us”, not just the result of the game…
Only Pakistan & India teams can bring-out the true essence of the word “SPORTSMANSHIP”.
Hope we keep this sweet bond intact…
Well played both teams!
happy with today’s result but both teams played a good series overall…..class stuff!!!
Yuvraj blasted the bowling attack.Bull by the horn.
hope them to win the next game comfortably….inshallah
Pakistan beat India in the first T20. India “hold” Pakistan in the second. Well done.
rightly pointed out . indigestion… ha ha ha
It was pakistan team too who stole the hearts, although india won the match. Hafeez was brilliant and brave. and Yuvi is the eternal “Prince” of indian cricket. When a “Singh” wants to have fun, he makes opposition do bhangra…and world says “wow”.
we enjoyed match. Though pakistan lost but no doubt they played well.
well done Hafeez bhai . A captaincy inning in both matches. Very happy with his performance <3
Great Fight Pakistan!! Win or Loose doesnt matter here!! We are always with you !!
A good encounter yet again. This was an excellent T20 series. Good luck to both the teams for the ODI’s.
Indeed, a high quality match! Congratulations to both the teams as we wait for the next fixture.
Sabash India! the nation is proud of you, geat comeback, keep it up! Yuvi you are great, good job blueshirts India Zindabaddddddddddd.