Who would have thought, that the way Ishan Kishan was going, Team India would score anything under 200. But in the IND vs PAK clash in T20 World Cup in Colombo, spinner Usman Tariq pulled things back for his team and how. The lanky mystery spinner came in with a reputation of not giving anything away, and also picking up key wickets.
Usman Tariq too good vs India
Right after Ishan was dismissed for 77 from 40, Tariq paired well with Saim Ayub.. took four wickets in eight overs giving only 49 runs. And that just shifted all the momentum. The mystery spinner had a career economy rate of 5.93, and did his stats no real harm, as he returned with figures of 1/24 in his four overs.
The batters, all of them, hardly had any idea as to which was the ball was going to spin. That effectively meant, the Indian team, that put in the practice to tackle him, went in vain. It was widely reported that Suryakumar Yadav replicated Tariq’s action in the nets, against the Indian batters.
Pairs well with Saim Ayub
Nonetheless, if not for his efforts, and Saim Ayub’s, India would have very well crossed the 200-run mark on a wicket, that isn’t the best for batting. On the other hand, leg spinners Shadab Khan, and Abrar Ahmed were mighty expensive, leaking 55 runs in 4 overs.
As far as the match is concerned, India set a target of 176 for Pakistan. The pitch turned out to be excellent for spinners, and Pakistan ended up using 18 overs of spin. It could only get more challenging in the second innings.
Cricket
IND vs PAK: Toothless Pakistan surrender to India's might as Suryakumar Yadav & co extend streak to 8-1
