India and Pakistan locked horns in their opening match of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, Sunday. After being forced to bat first, Pakistan lost their skipper Babar Azam on the very first ball of the second over bowled by Arshdeep Singh.
Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper who opened alongside the 'Men in Green' captain, also perished in quick succession for just 4 runs. Pakistan lost 2 wickets within the powerplay and remained at 32 at the end of six overs.
However, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood joined hands to lift the team and ensured that they remained in the race. Ahmed, who reached the fifty-run landmark, perished for 51 runs and it paved way for the epic collapse.
Fans react to Pakistan’s senseless batting
Pakistani fans, who were angered by the Men in Green’s batting, opined that the batters played senseless shots and added that they tried to hit along the long-boundary region. Right after Ahmed made his way back to the dressing room, Pakistan lost two quick wickets of Shadab Khan and Haider Ali.
Asif Ali, who came in after Haider, returned to the dressing room after making only 2 runs for the team. Masood, who remained at the other end, scored a half-century and rescued the team yet again. Pakistan ended up gathering 159/8 on the board at the end of the first innings.
Hardik Pandya, who picked up a two-for to his name in the game, said before the match that the Melbourne ground would always remain close to his heart. Further, the Indian allrounder added that the fans would see him bowling in the showpiece event and said that he would give his best for the team.
“Have many fond memories here, I made my T20I debut in Australia, and from there the journey has continued. It's good to be back here, you can't get a better place to play sport and enjoy. The body is fine, I think you should put that topic about my body on rest, you will see me bowling. We are playing international cricket, it's not only about Pakistan bowlers,” Pandya said before the match.
COME ON INDIA!!!!!
— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) October 23, 2022
💪🏽💙#bleedblue #T20WorldCup2022 #INDvsPAK
It will be a thrilling match.🙂#INDvsPAK
— Ansar shah (@ansar___shah) October 23, 2022
So far so good. Brilliant from the bowlers. Arshdeep, Shami, Bhuvi , Hardik all have been superb #IndvsPak
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 23, 2022
Bowlers dismissing Babar Azam for a first-ball duck in T20Is:
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 23, 2022
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Arshdeep Singh
Both by an Asian left arm pacer.
Both in multi-team events.
Both in 2022.
Full delivery and Make them play in front rather square. Well done Arshdeep 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 23, 2022
What are they doing????? Stupid batting man #INDvPAK
— Hassan (@HassanS96) October 23, 2022
HAIDER ALI is overrated.
— 🅷🅰🅸🅳🅴🆁 (@Innoxent_Devi1) October 23, 2022
Shoaib Malik should replace him. That's it. That's the tweet!#INDvPAK
APOLOGY FORM FOR IFTKHAAR CHACHU ON THE WAY . 🫡#PakVsInd #PAKvIND #INDvPAK #INDvsPAK
— 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒓𝒂𝒏 🍾 (@AgentPerry___) October 23, 2022
Pakistan just doing Pakistan things. Self destruction. #INDvsPAK2022 #indvpak #T20WorldCup2022
— Sunny Side Up (@Half_Fri) October 23, 2022
Arshdeep played his first match against Pakistan and is now 3-14
— Atharvaaaa ✨ (@TheThiagoWay) October 23, 2022
Bumrah bruh take rest. You were never this good.#ICCT20WorldCup #INDvPAK #Cricket
Asif going to his back foot and expecting a length ball...! That is such smart bowling by Arshdeep. Poor batting by Asif Ali#INDvPAK
— Imtiaz (@Imtiazbahar) October 23, 2022
Idiot HAIDER. Should be kicked out forever #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup
— Kamran Ali (@Kam007_tweet) October 23, 2022
Ifti brought us back and put us in a position to score 170 easily and here we are struggling to get 150#T20WorldCup #PAKvIND #INDvPAK #PAKvsIND #INDvsPAK
— Raza(IK❤) (@InjectCricket) October 23, 2022
. @AasifAli45 - some overrated flat track finisher. MCG ain’t Dubai. #IndVPak
— Rahul Ojha (@RahulOjha) October 23, 2022