Arch-rivals Pakistan and India met on June 9 in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
After an outstanding bowling display by Pakistan which bundled out India on 119 with one over to go, Pakistan’s batters failed to achieve the target and fell seven runs short.
Despite India winning the match, former Indian cricketer slammed India’s batting order for being reckless and arrogant against Pakistan’s bowling attack which he called “a very, very experienced attack.”
Talking on an Indian sports channel after the match, the legendary cricketer, "Disappointing batting performance. It bordered on arrogance and recklessness if I might use the word. Because there was arrogance at the start of the innings as well. They were looking to hit every ball. This is not an Ireland attack. This is not an ordinary bowling attack.”
Gavaskar further added that Pakistan is an experienced bowling attack and they deserved the respect that was not given to them by the Indian batters. He also criticised the Indian batters for getting all out with one over to go.
"I don't mean any disrespect to Ireland, but Pakistan is a very, very experienced attack. It should have been just that little bit of respect given when the ball was doing a little bit. Getting out with one over to spare actually tells you that you were probably not in the right kind of thinking cap. Another six runs, maybe getting to 125 would have made a difference," he added.
Nevertheless, India’s bowlers, specifically Jasprit Bumrah saved face as he took three wickets for 14 runs and got India over the line as Pakistan fell seven runs short of winning the game.
This defeat was Pakistan’s second in the T20 World Cup 2024. They have lost against the USA in their opening game of the T20 World Cup in a super over.
India now sits at the top of the Group A points table with 4 points and Pakistan is fourth in the table as their qualification for the Super-8s seems dire.
- Sunil Gavaskar
