ICC World Twenty20: Life returns

 India beat Pak by 6 wickets in a gritty, incredible chase

KOLKATA: Writing an obituary for India and history for Pakistan would have been a national emergency issue, so it was a huge relief that the Men in Blue fought as never before to beat an upbeat Pakistan in what looked like a mission impossible.

They fought to live another day in the toughest of circumstances — on a turniing and gripping pitch with Mohammed Sami and Wahab Riaz on fire. For the nation at large, and the team in particular, this was the moment of the tournament, more special because it was snatched out of a murky den of defeat, although, in the end, India made it look easy, winning the marquee match against Pakistan by six wickets and much within the allotted 18 overs.

From here on, India still need to fight with grit but the relief of winning against Pakistan will make them more positive. They meet Bangladesh at Bengaluru and then the Aussies in Mohali and if all matches are won from here on, they will be in the semifinals soon. As for Pakistan, one defeat out of the way, they are still alive and kicking in the group.

The victory, which came after heart in mouth moments like Rohit Sharma and Shikhar departing early and on consecutive balls by Sami, looked so iffy that Man of the Match Virat Kohli somewhat modestly called his partnership with Yuvi "lucky". At 55 with seven boundaries and delightful six, it would have been quite an understatement in normal circumstances. But he was right, because it was a testing wicket and fierce bowling attack that was thrown at India in a low-scoring thriller where 118 posted by Pakistan looked like an inconquerable summit, even worse than what the New Zealanders posted in Nagpur.

But Indians, who had their tails between their legs after losing to the Kiwis in the opener, proved they are what they claim to be —incredible chasers. Only here, they were not merely chasing a win but life itself, so giving even an inch would have maimed not just Dhoni's last World Cup but also national expectations. In that context, it was one fight that needs to go down in history as the most dogged one in recent times.

Not that Pakistan did not fight. They fought hard and fast too, chasing history that yet again eluded them in the world cup against India. An 11-0 is where India now stand against their rivals at the big games and coach Younis would be wondering when this monkey will get off his team's back, if at all.

The match, marred by rain and curtailed to 18 overs, had black clouds writ all over it, more for India than Pakistan after Dhoni elected to bowl and then could not restrict Pakistan to an inconsequential score despite his bowlers giving in a modestly good show, all except Pandya who went for 25 runs in his two overs, being planted on the boundary by Shoiab Malik who hit two consecutive sixes in the match's most expensive over.

That was the highlight of the Pakistanis who now go to Mohali to face the till now unbeaten New Zealand.

As for India, weak moments like Rohit Sharma departing to a lofty shot on a short one by Mohammed Amir, Raina excorting a duck to the pavillion in the very next one and then Shikhar Dhawan playing on Sami for just six runs in 15 balls can now be conveniently forgotten. For, it;s the end that matters -- and in this one, India defeated it in style, with gumption and sporting a lot of grit.

No wonder then, millennium star Amitabh Bachchan flew the flag too vigorously for his age and Kohli tried to reach his fist to the heavens perhaps to thank the Gods for holding on to India. 

Source: Sunday Pioneer, 20 March, 2016