“India beat Pakistan by 89 runs via the DLS method, on Sunday in World Cup’19 showdown played between the arch rivals in Manchester.”
Wish there was a less polite way to say this, but after the inglorious defeat faced by our cricket team in the 22nd game of the world cup, probably justifies the harsh backlash they’ve received ever since they showcased such a performance. With the key aspect of the game being, India improving their ‘unbeaten’ World Cup’ run against Pakistan to 7-0 and staying undefeated on this platform.
To talk about the atmosphere at Old Trafford during the match, was electric as Pakistan and India went head to head in what began as a dramatic showdown in a key World Cup fixture. Even though rain stopped the play thrice, and eventually the D/L method was implied to reduce play in the Pakistani innings to 40 overs to score 301 runs. Unfortunately this could not be done and the men in blue concluded the match with a decisive victory over Pakistan…
From innumerous ticket applications to witness one of the greatest battles at the Old Trafford showdown, 26,000 lucky fans from both India and Pakistan got the opportunity to watch the one-sided power packed match in the stadium, as they made the day their own with celebrations and revelry.
As blue remained the dominant color in this blockbuster, chants of ‘India, India’ reverberated in the air as they fluttered the Indian tri-color at every boundary and wicket, whereas their team painted the ground blue, with shots swung here and there. Once again Pakistan could not contain their rivals by fielding. It is safe to say that during the first innings, it was Amir Vs Team India, as he was successful in taking 3 wickets.
Pakistanis were only successful in making their presence felt by cheering their team on with representation (the dedicated ‘fan of the day’, a dedicated Pakistani supporter who turned up at Old Trafford riding a white horse) and shouts of ‘long live Pakistan’, but everything done for this team (even prayers) turned out to be futile. Even the sporadic spells of rain did not dampen the spirits of the driven crowd that added massively to the spectacle of a showdown that attracted an estimated television audience of over one billion.
Cricket enthusiasts were quick to take to Twitter and criticized the team’s poor performance and the platform bled ‘green tears.’
Match defining moments: India vs Pakistan
India’s Rohit Sharma holds a reputation of getting centuries and he didn’t disappoint with his second century of the tournament, 140 on 113 balls. The ‘hitman’ started cautiously when Amir attacked but soon gained his momentum against the Pakistani attack that lacked the spark apart from Mohammed Amir. Sharma was mightily supported by fellow opener KL Rahul, who performed equally well in the absence of injured opener Shikhar Dhawan. This duo was successful in putting 137 runs on board. Sharma’s ‘six’ at backward point off to paceman Hasan Ali, brought back memories of the stroke-master of Sachin Tendulkar. But Pakistan got rid of him as he tried a paddle shot over short fine leg.
The first ball from Bumrah to Fakhar Zaman was of a good length, on middle stump. As a perfect warm-up ball. Zaman rocked back to defend with his watchful eyes. A good ball from the bowler. A solid response from the batsman. Short of two balls, Zaman missed a flick and hit a full toss through extra cover for a four. As Bumrah clearly shaked his head, he walked back to revise his strategy. It was so apparent that Zaman didn’t flinch like ‘Quinton de Kock’ against Bumrah at Southampton. Fakhar Zaman’s innings were nothing short of what Pakistan has needed throughout this tournament- consistency and fastidiousness.
Equally supported by his fellow batsman, BabarAzam. As the partnership proved to be exciting and fulfilling, it gave hope to the Pakistani masses that this match was equally important for our shaheens. Their decent partnership helped put Pakistan at 117 at the loss of Imam ul Haq, who was ousted by Vijay Shankar’s first ball of the World cup’19.
“Getting Babar Azam out was the best delivery for me in this tournament. I got him out in the Asia Cup as well,” Kuldeep Yadav on Babar Azam’s dismissal as he tossed the ball up on the final ball of the 24th over. He produced a sharp turn and the ball managed to sneak through the batsman’s bat and pad as it took down the stumps. The tournament’s most sought after match quickly turned into a nightmare for Pakistani cricket fans when Babar Azam returned to the pavilion at 117 at the loss of two wickets.
Fakhar Zaman was soon to follow after taking the team at 126 for 3. All hell broke loose as the fans watched yet another deplorable performance by the team in term of 117-2 to 129-5…
Fall down 7 times, get back up 8 times.
As a die-hard fan of this sport, as much angered as we may be, I’m sure the Pakistani masses take and accept this defeat gracefully. No matter how many dreams were shattered, with hearts broken, Team India may have been successful in beating us in this match… but they can never break our spirits. We will always be there for this team, our team. Support them like no one other because once a cricket fan, always a cricket fan.
Pakistan, like always fought till the last man standing. Till the last ball bowled. Even though in the end we were led by Imad Waseem and Shadab Khan (our bowlers.)
It is once again a reminder, that true followers support equally in hard time an in good ones. It is all about standing tall and showing the World that we are one team and one nation.
It is our promise that we are not done yet! It is our promise that we shall forever stand strong. It is our promise that we may be defeated but not broken.
It is our promise that we will ‘Bleed Green’ forever.
