Pakistan trounced India by a stunning 10-wicket margin in their T20 World Cup opener in Dubai. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan both scored unbeaten half-centuries. Pakistan’s openers have looked comfortable in pursuit of a 152-run mark, as Indian spinners continue to search for a breakthrough. Virat Kohli had earlier reached his 29th half-century in Twenty20 Internationals before being removed for 57 by Shaheen Shah Afridi as India registered 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Hasan Ali removed Suryakumar Yadav to give Pakistan a strong start in the match. Afridi was on fire as he sent back openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.
During his innings, Kohli struck five boundaries and a six. Before being dismissed by Shadab Khan, Rishabh Pant also played well, hitting a 30-ball 39 that included two fours and two sixes. India passed the vital 150-run barrier despite Hardik Pandya’s failure to get going in the final overs. Kohli named Varun Chakaravarthy in place of Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Ishan Kishan in the playing XI. Team India will be hoping to secure a win and get their campaign off to a strong start against a Pakistani team that boasts a lot of match-winners. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first.
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun.
Pakistan’s final XI included the following players: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan.
