Clash of the Titans – Pakistan vs. India, T20 series 2012

Dec 30, 2012 by     Comments Off on Clash of the Titans – Pakistan vs. India, T20 series 2012    Posted under: Sports Buzz

The end of the year 2012 witnessed a thrilling clash of the titans. The old rivals came face-to-face for a five match series, two T20s and three ODIs. The fight in the two T20 matches has already shown the commitment to win from both the sides, India and Pakistan. Both sides are ready to face the opposition with full energy and enthusiasm. Pakistan, after winning the first T20, has shown that they are ready to fight against the Indian team on their home ground. The Indian team after winning the second T20 displayed their ability to make a comeback and did not let Pakistan take the trophy home by ending the series in a draw. Both the captains, Mohammad Hafeez and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, led their sides as true leaders, particularly Mohammad Hafeez who led his team from the front. The bowling attack of Pakistan and the batting attack of India resulted in the two match T20 series getting drawn.

This December, Youth Correspondent brings to you an interesting analysis of the thrilling matches between Pakistan and India. In this analysis, we have covered both the matches in detail for all the cricket crazy fans out there.

The most awaited series of the year began with a very interesting match and a lot of pressure on the two sides and it was evident right from the moment the toss was won by Pakistan as both the captains fumbled while recalling their respective teams. Winning the toss and choosing to field first was a calculated decision by Mohammad Hafeez because of the risk factor of dew that was expected in the later part of the match. The decision turned out to be good for Pakistan as Mohammad Irfan who was making his international debut bowled on a perfect line and length, making it difficult for Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane to put the bat to ball. In reply, both the Indian openers played slowly and steadily and made themselves comfortable with the pitch and conditions. They were, in fact, successful in giving a 77 runs opening stand to India. Our very own Shahid Afridi was able to get the first breakthrough for Pakistan. However, after that, the team known for its impressive batting and an exceptional middle-order had to face shocks one after the other as wickets fell at regular intervals. Pakistan, thus, was able to restrict them to 133 runs. The popular names: Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, and Suresh Raina were all unable to contribute fairly to the scoreboard.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 1st T20I Bengaluru

Mohammad Irfan was the seven-foot surprise package that the Pakistani captain had talked about, and he really tested the might of the Indian openers after they were put in.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 1st T20I Bengaluru

The dangerous Suresh Raina was outfoxed by Saeed Ajmal, as the Indian batting collapsed and only managed to reach 133.

The intelligent and carefully planned bowling changes made at the right time by Pakistani Skipper Mohammad Hafeez made it possible for the bowlers to restrict the Indian side to 133 runs and to keep a low-scoring chase. Mohammad Irfan was impressive with his bowling figures of 25 runs and 1 wicket in 4 overs, while Gul and Ajmal remained the stars of the show with bowling figures of 3-21-3 and 4-25-2, respectively.

Chasing 134 runs was not a difficult target for Team Pakistan as it consisted of an experienced batting line-up playing against a not-so impressive bowling attack of India. However, things did not seem to be well in Pakistan’s hands in the first five overs as Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shehzad, and Umar Akmal had to face a lot of difficulty with the new ball, and eventually, had to depart from the crease. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was given a chance for the first time in the Indian Cricket Team, impressed everyone with his pace attack. He was remarkable with the new ball and deserves credit for denting Pakistan’s initial overs in their run-chase. Things were tilted towards the Indian side in those first five overs until the Skipper Mohammad Hafeez, along with the son-in-law of India, Shoaib Malik, took charge. These two experienced hands guided Pakistan towards a sensational victory after scoring a 106 runs partnership and making it possible for Pakistan to steal the opening match from India. Hafeez played a sensational knock and a true captain’s innings, scoring 61 runs from just 49 deliveries, while Malik gave 57 runs from 50 balls to the scoreboard. Both players displayed their true spirit and abilities and this ultimately gave them the desired result.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 1st T20I Bengaluru

133 seemed  to be an easy target, but Nasir Jamshed was swung out by debutant Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 1st T20I Bengaluru

Mohammad Hafeez calmed Pakistan’s nerves through a measured half-century.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 1st T20I Bengaluru

Shoaib Malik stayed unbeaten and finished the match in the last over with a six.

Pakistan won this exciting match by 5 wickets giving all the Pakistanis a gift on the 25th of December, the birthday of Quaid. The plus points for Pakistan were the inclusion of the experienced Shoaib Malik in the team, the exceptional fielding including the direct hits, and the omission of the Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian bowling attack. The positive for India was the inclusion of young and talented Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the team. The negative for India was the dew factor that came in later and caused fumbles in the field.

It would have been a whitewash if the second game was won by Team Pakistan just like the first game however Team India had different plans. The batting lineup that was taking a nap in the first game was actually on the high in the second game. They fought back and tied the series. The conditions in Ahmedabad were very favourable for batting as compared to that in Bengaluru. Winning the toss again and due to the risk of dew the Pakistani Skipper Hafeez chose to put India to bat first. This was not in Pakistan’s favour where even though the openers did a fine job the Skipper MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh added 97 runs to the score board. Yuvraj played a brilliant knock of 72 runs from just 36 balls heavily punishing the Pakistani Bowlers. Sohail Tanvir had been the most expensive giving an economy rate of 11.00 in four overs. With him Shahid Afridi had been responsible for adding 33 runs in 3 overs and Saeed Ajmal adding 42 runs in four overs. Only Umar Gul was successful in dismissing four of the Indian Batsmen. The aggressiveness of Yuvraj Singh led the score to 192. Giving a highly challenging target of 193 to Pakistan. Pakistan would have obviously gone into extreme pressure. Nevertheless they came up with a positive stance.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 2nd T20I Ahmedabad

Umar Gul the only wicket taker in Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 2nd T20I Ahmedabad

Yuvraj Singh accelerated effectively, hitting seven sixes in his innings of 72 to take India to a commanding 192 for 5.

The openers who were not quite impressive in the first game gave a 74 run opening partnership. Nasir Jamshed being successful in 41 of32 while Ahmed Shehzad added 31 to the scoreboard. Their departure however made the chase even more difficult until the Skipper Mohammad Hafeez took the charge along with Umar Akmal. The in-form batsmen was all set to show his aggressiveness through a shower of fours and sixes. Hafeez played like a true captain and made the second fastest half century in T20s from Pakistan. 193 seemed to be gettable while he was playing however minute carelessness of Umar Akmal wasted some costly. Hafeez made a quick 55 but one misjudged shot costed him his wicket that transferred the responsibility on Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik. The fact was that the difference was not that much if Kamran Akmal had played carefully. However he wasnot in a mood to play and wasted his wasted. Malik could not have been blamed as he takes time to settle down and there was hardly any ball left. They could only make it till 181 and gave India 11 run victory.

Cricket - India v Pakistan 2nd T20I Ahmedabad

Mohammad Hafeez’s belligerence kept Pakistan in the hunt.

Pakistan can be appreciated for its exceptional fielding and impressive bowling in the first game while India can be acknowledged for its well-known aggressive attitude. The way the teams had fought against each other is what is the most interesting in an Indo-Pak match.

The man of the match of the second T20 was Yuvraj Singh for his amazing knock while the man of the series was given to the well-deserved Skipper Mohammad Hafeez who had led the team from the front and because the highest run scorer in the series making 116 runs in the two matches.

The two captains shared the Trophy.

09

The clash of the titans has not yet ended. 3 ODIs are still to go. The real action will begin from the 30th of December and will continue till the next year( January 2013).

Watch out this space for more news.

The Author

A crazy cricket fan in all the three formats. A patriotic Team Green Supporter and a fully biased Afridi and Hafeez fan.

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