On this day, in 2014, two cricketing stalwarts and fierce rivals locked horns in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup opener, one of the most anticipated India vs Pakistan clashes. MS Dhoni-led Team India faced Pakistan in the group clash of the tournament. At that time, India continued to dominate its neighbors in world events. Whenever the two sides come face to face, the whole world sees that there is always pride and prestige at stake.
India captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. India found a breakthrough early in the match as miscommunication between openers Kamran Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad resulted in Akmal being run out for 8 runs.
Shehzad and captain Mohammad Hafeez scored runs on the board, however, the partnership did not last long as a brilliant delivery from Amit Mishra struck the captain, and Dhoni was behind to pick up the bails and claim wicket number two for India . Shehzad also didn’t last long as the batsman decided to go big, only to fall short as Jadeja claimed the third wicket for India, with the opener getting dismissed for 22.
Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik took Pakistan forward and scored before Malik was removed by Mishra, dismissed for 18, the score was 97/4 in 15.2 overs. India was in control of the conflict as it was difficult for the Pakistan line-up to score runs in Mirpur. Veteran Shahid Afridi was a big threat for India, however, Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the better of the all-rounder by dismissing Afridi for 8.
It was Sohaib Maqsood who added runs for Pakistan, scoring 21 off 11 balls, with Pakistan posting 130/7 in 20 overs.
Chasing 131, openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started the innings well and managed to put on a 54-run partnership before Dhawan was dismissed for 30 by Umar Gul. India, led by Rohit and Virat Kohli, comfortably took their time and selected their shots but a brilliant delivery from Saeed Ajmal cleaned up Rohit for 24.
Yuvraj Singh did not last long in the middle as the veteran was also bowled for 1 by Bilawal Bhatti. It was Kohli (36) and Suresh Raina (35) who led India to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. The Men in Blue continued to impose their dominance on their neighbors.
India continued to shine in the tournament and reached the final of the 2014 T20 World Cup, but lost the summit clash to their southern neighbors Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.
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