And so, in their 13th World Cup match against India, Pakistan have finally won against their archrival neighbors. They have done so without losing a wicket, and with 13 balls to spare.
In their 13th attempt in World Cups, Pakistan finally managed to beat India, and did so comfortably on a night when almost everything went to plan for them. With the sensational uprooting of the openers with the new ball, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the brightest star of the night, but everyone in the support cast played their role well, including a nerveless chase by the openers. Pakistan made history at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. On the contrary, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan made good history. They lost to a strong opponent like India in their first match of the World Cup by a huge margin of 10 wickets.
Pakistan's two openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan crossed India's 152-run target without losing a wicket. He still had 13 balls left. Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 69 off 55 balls and Babar Azam was unbeaten on 7 off 52 balls.
How many wins Pakistan has against India! But today's victory will leave the country in the pages of history. He will also write history. Because, after the ODI World Cup started in 1985 and the T20 World Cup in 2006, India seemed to be an invincible opponent to Pakistan in this tournament.
The World Cup win against India is always elusive. Wasim Akram, Waqar Yunus, Inzamam-ul Haq could not try. Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi could not try. In all, the two teams met a total of 12 times in the two formats, 6 times in ODI World Cup, 5 times in T20 World Cup.
Pakistan has never been close to India. They have been in the losing team every time. And the name of the winning team is always India.
Tensions have been high since the two teams were placed in the same group at the World Cup. From the cricket fans of the two teams to the former and current cricketers, there was a tussle. Pakistan has been saying firmly that this time they have the power to defeat India. But there is always such energy. There is no benefit in that, why should Pakistan dream in front of India on the stage of the World Cup.
It proved to be true at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Chasing India's 152-run target, Pakistan may have to suffer as well.
But Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did not let the match go to India for once. The two of them did not make a chance to get out even once. Rather, they were very clinical from the beginning. Each ball is judged and analyzed. Good balls blocked. He crossed the border as soon as he got the loose ball.
Thus, Bhubaneswar Kumar, Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakraborty or Rabindra Jadeja - did not leave anyone behind, did not show respect. In the same parallel, Babar and Rizwan slowly led the team to victory.
The last time they came to bat was that historic victory. The Pakistanis have been waiting for years for that victory. Every World Cup comes and Pakistani supporters say with regret, how much more? Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan finally got rid of that regret. The elusive golden deer was found in the palm of his hand.
Babar Azam, who played 52 balls, had 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 79 off 55 balls, had six boundaries and two sixes.
Earlier, after losing the toss and opting to bat, Virat Kohli's 57 helped India to 151 for seven.