How Did the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup’s 19th Match Rewrite History?

The cricket world was left gobsmacked during the 19th match of the T20 World Cup when India pulled off a miracle, successfully defending a paltry total of 119 against arch-rivals Pakistan. This match wasn’t just a master class in strategic brilliance and tenacity; it was like watching a cat defend its dinner from a pack of hungry dogs. Here’s a humorous breakdown of why this game deserves a permanent spot in cricket folklore.

Joint-Lowest Total Defended

India’s defense of 119 runs marked the joint-lowest total ever successfully defended in a 20-over match at the Men’s T20 World Cup. This feat was previously accomplished only once by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in the 2014 edition. The Indian bowlers and fielders executed their plans to perfection, restricting Pakistan to 111 and ensuring a historic victory.

Lowest Total Defended by India in T20Is

Defending 119 might as well be renamed the ‘Great Indian Houdini Act.’ This was the lowest total India had ever defended in a full 20-over game in men’s T20Is. Their previous record was a slightly more respectable 139 against Zimbabwe. Clearly, India decided to outdo themselves in the art of miserly bowling and razor-sharp fielding.

Head-to-Head Record

India’s victory added to their impressive head-to-head record against Pakistan in Men’s T20 World Cups, taking it to 7-1. This record includes a memorable win via bowl-out in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The seven victories by India are the most by any team against a single opponent in Men’s T20 World Cups, reflecting their dominance in these high-stakes matches.

Winning Despite Being Bowled Out

India became one of the few teams to win a match despite being bowled out while batting first in the Men’s T20 World Cup. Their innings lasted only 19 overs, the shortest among the six instances where a team has won after being bowled out. This was also the first time India achieved such a victory in a T20I, highlighting the exceptional efforts of their bowlers and fielders.

Poor Batting Average in the Last Ten Overs

Both India and Pakistan had a notably poor batting average of 7.23 runs per wicket in the last ten overs. This was the second-worst average in a men’s T20I between Full Members where ten or more wickets fell in the final ten overs. The lowest average remains 6.63 between Bangladesh and Australia in 2021.

India’s Collapse after a Strong Start

India’s performance after the halfway mark was underwhelming, scoring only 38 runs from a strong position of 81 for 3. This is the second-fewest run scored by a full-member team in men’s T20Is after reaching 80-plus runs in the first ten overs with three or fewer wickets lost. The lowest was 28 runs by Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup against Hong Kong.

Toss and Match Outcomes

Interestingly, in the eight T20Is between India and Pakistan since 2014, the team winning the toss chose to bowl first and won seven times. The only exception was this historic match in New York, where India won despite losing the toss and being put in to bat first.

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