Pakistan struck early via Shaheen, forcing India to a slow start
Babar and Rizwan's unbeaten opening stand sees Pakistan home with two overs to spare
It was 13th time lucky for Pakistan – except there was nothing lucky about it. After a run of 12 defeats to India, Pakistan finally defeated their greatest rivals in a World Cup match. Millions had been dreaming of this moment for years.
Yet they could scarcely imagine that it would come like this – a 10-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan shared a chanceless stand of 152 after Shaheen Shah Afridi had established Pakistan’s dominance with a mesmerising new-ball spell.
In its way, it was almost as crushing as the defeat meted out between two other great sporting rivals at Old Trafford. Just like there, a large chunk of the supporters left long before the match was over, as about two-thirds of the 16,000 in Dubai were supporting India.
The salient difference between the two thrashings was that, in Dubai, the defeated side were not particularly bad; it was just that Pakistan played as if powered by an elemental force.
Even the most partisan among the disappointed Indian supporters to traipse away would have to acknowledge that this was a defeat authored by a spell of scintillating sport.
After Pakistan won the toss in front of a crowd pregnant with expectation, Babar promptly handed the new ball to Shaheen, his towering left-arm quick bowler. As he stood by the edge of the 30-yard circle, and then took a couple of steps in before beginning his run-up, Shaheen was about to bend the ball, and the game, to his will.
His fourth ball was very fast and very full. It curved late and so rapidly that Rohit Sharma, facing his first ball, was momentarily paralysed; then, it was much too late. The ball thudded into Rohit’s back pad, leaving him plumb lbw while Shaheen ran off in delirious delight.
India's KL Rahul is bowled out by Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi. - REUTERS
Having dismissed one of India’s champion openers, Shaheen now eyed up the other. His approach, over the wicket, swinging the ball into the stumps, was the same.
Only this time the results were even more spectacular: a delivery on a good length jagged back to find a gap between KL Rahul’s bat and pads, leaving his stumps a mess with middle stump uprooted. That is the allure of fast bowling: a power that, in hands like these, can overcome any opponent and any conditions.
Pakistan have always had a penchant for producing fast-bowling phenomenons. Shaheen, 21, already seems a worthy successor to the dynasty of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Shoaib Akhtar and Fazal Mahmood.
There is an Indian Premier League auction in a few months’ time; were Pakistan players not barred from entering, Shaheen would become a millionaire overnight. In their warm-up matches, Pakistan had entrusted left-arm spinner Imad Wasim with the opening over.
But the extra swing that bowlers extract in the first over – more than any other in a T20 innings – combined with Shaheen’s far superior record bowling the first rather than second over, helped convince Pakistan to hand him the new ball.
Babar would now surely consider it folly to ever begin the innings without Shaheen bowling the first ball. At six for two in the third over, India were rocked, though with their batting clout it need not have been terminal. But Pakistan’s supporting cast ensured that Shaheen’s early brilliance was not wasted.
Shadab Khan’s mid-innings spell of 1-22 from four overs, which included snaring Rishabh Pant with a googly, prevented India from finding the acceleration they needed to make up for their powerplay.
Virat Kohli, who needed to summon all his skill to withstand Shaheen’s three-over burst with the new ball, made 57, but was never able to score as freely as Babar and Rizman would in Pakistan’s reply. As well as their own pristine timing and silky placement, they benefited from dew, which inhibited India’s spinners.
Virat Kohli struck fifty in a losing cause - AP
Batting first in day-night matches in Dubai is surely worth a 15-run advantage. And so Pakistan’s bewildering 29-year wait to beat India in the World Cup – a sequence taking in seven meetings in ODI World Cups, and five in T20 World Cups – is finally at an end.
The record has been one of the most curious in sport, belying the normal on-pitch affairs between the sides: in overall head-to-head games, Pakistan have won more than India. After a tumultuous few weeks for Pakistan cricket, it was a cathartic triumph.
As their jubilant players huddled together after the match, they had restored hope to Pakistani cricket just as, after New Zealand’s and England’s recent withdrawals from touring, fears have resurfaced that they will once again have to play their home cricket in exile.
Circumstances have led Dubai to emerge as Pakistan’s main alternative home – so it was fitting, perhaps, that it now played host to a moment of treasured Pakistani history. It ended a captivating first weekend of the main stages of the World Cup.
Two days into the Super 12 stage, and the defending champions and favourites have both suffered emphatic defeats.
India vs Pakistan, as it happened:
05:55 PM
That's all the live updates from me...
But read the above match report for a full recap of today's historic match.
05:42 PM
Kohli speaks
We aren't a team that presses the panic button. It is just the start of the tournament.
05:39 PM
Some good sportsmanship at the end, too
Virat Kohli congratulates Mohammad Rizwan. - AFP
05:33 PM
That was near-perfect from Pakistan
Early wickets, solid in the middle-overs and not too expensive at the death before cruising home without losing a wicket and over two overs left.
Shaheen, Babar and Rizwan were all fantastic today.
05:28 PM
Pakistan win by 10 wickets, beating India for the first time!
Bumrah still does not bowl his final over! It will be Shami instead.
Shami starts with a high full toss which Rizwan pulls into the stands. Poor captaincy, poor bowling.
Another boundary follows, Rizwan walking across his stumps and swatting the ball for four. And another boundary follows, this time behind square! Rizwan wants this done now! He then pushes one down the ground. 150 up for the partnership and the team.
Babar clips it into legside and they sprint back for two! Pakistan have done it!
05:22 PM
OVER 17: PAK 135/0 (Rizwan 64* Babar 66*)
Bumrah is off - not sure about this decision. Bhuvneshwar is back with two overs left (he could do that from the other end, though).
Rizwan hacks the ball to deep point, adding one to the total. Babar takes one, too. Rizwan wants a wide awarded but he shuffled outside off stump so no extra comes. A wide does come from the next ball, however.
A handsome drive through the covers brings another single. The Pakistan dressing room still looks a touch nervous. Another wide outside the off stump comes. Babar hits down the ground, collecting two after some hard running.
Bhuvneshwar goes wide again, this time it is alright as Babar moved across.
17 from 18 required.
05:16 PM
OVER 16: PAK 128/0 (Rizwan 61* Babar 63*)
Shami is back - and he starts with a half-tracker that is pulled with ease to the boundary by Rizwan. A single is then stroked out to long-on. The Indian team look to have given up hope at this point.
A yorker is speared in but Babar manages to squirt it away for a single. A leg bye is then scrambled - these two have run exceptionally well today.
Another yorker, this time blocked by Babar, concludes the over.
24 from 24 required.
05:10 PM
OVER 15: PAK 121/0 (Rizwan 56* Babar 62*)
Kohli does indeed turn to Bumrah, who has bowled two overs so far. The required run rate is below seven.
Bumrah nails his yorker to start. No run. Rizwan then pulls off the front foot for four - that's his 50! A two is then scrambled, classy batting.
An attempted yorker is flicked for one by Rizwan, who has been reborn as an opener in T20 cricket. Babar hands him back the strike immediately. Another single ends the over.
Pakistan need 31 from 30 balls to win.
05:05 PM
We have seen plenty of this today
Mohammad Rizwan playing the slog sweep in T20 cricket
Jadeja starts his last over. Rizwan sweeps him out to the boundary for one. Jadeja then drops short and Babar latches onto it, hammering the ball for four. He then takes one. Rizwan does the same. Pakistan are cruising - surely Bumrah needs to be brought into the attack?
Babar hits another boundary, cashing in as Jadeja drops short once again.
05:01 PM
OVER 13: PAK 101/0 (Rizwan 46* Babar 52*)
Chakravarthy is back into the attack to start his final over. Babar pulls the first delivery for a single. Rizwan goes down on one knee and launches the ball over the legside and into the stands! He then pinches a quick single, top batting.
Babar then joins in, parking a short ball over midwicket's head for another six! Babar's 50 comes up in 40 balls. A single follows, bringing up the 100 run partnership! What a stand this has been. Rizwan keeps the strike.
India are in big trouble.
04:57 PM
OVER 12: PAK 85/0 (Rizwan 38* Babar 44*)
Pakistan is making this look rather easy at the moment. Jadeja is flicked for one by Babar. A dot to Rizwan follows who then sweeps hard for one. Babar dances down the track, missing the ball but his side still collect a leg bye.
Jadeja drops short and Rizwan pulls it away for two more. A quicker one ends the over.
Hardik Pandya, who injured himself batting, and has not fielded, has gone for a scan on his shoulder. Bad news for India.
04:53 PM
OVER 11: PAK 80/0 (Rizwan 35* Babar 43*)
India need to break this partnership - and sharpish! Kohli knows it, bringing back Bumrah into the attack. His over starts with a two before Babar launches the ball over mid-off who was in the circle. Superb from the Pakistan skipper.
Bumrah responds by going at the stumps, collecting a dot. He then fires in a rapid yorker that narrowly misses the stumps! Bumrah persists with a full length and this time Babar hits is straight for two. A thin edge to third man ends the over, nine coming from it.
Chakravarthy continues at the other end, but he starts a touch short and Babar cuts him over the ring fielders for four! Pakistan are on the charge. A single follows. Rizwan scampers a two, they just get home. A quick single is then taken - there is a direct hit from Bhuvneshwar but Rizwan's clumsy dive just saves him!
Babar takes a more sedate one.
At the half-way point, Pakistan are on top!
04:41 PM
OVER 9: PAK 62/0 (Rizwan 32* Babar 28*)
Jadeja continues. Rizwan cuts him away for yet another single. Babar does the same. The run rate is slowly climbing, but Pakistan still have all their wickets in hand. Another single from Rizwan before a quicker ball earns India a precious dot.
Babar has had enough, rocking back and launching a six over midwicket for a massive six! He was waiting for that length. He then takes a single. Top batting.
04:37 PM
OVER 8: PAK 52/0 (Rizwan 30* Babar 20*)
Chakravarthy starts his second over after an impressive first. Rizwan takes one before Babar cuts away aggresively for another single. A legside wide is then fired down.
Rizwan respectfully blocks the spinner before pushing a single - 50 up for Pakistan. Babar takes a single, Pakistan content to knock it around at the moment. Rizwan will keep the strike, six from the over.
04:33 PM
OVER 7: PAK 46/0 (Rizwan 27* Babar 18*)
Ravi Jadeja is into the attack for the first time. Rizwan clips him for a single. Jadeja finds a good line and length, forcing Babar to block successive deliveries. And a third. Babar then gets himself off strike.
Jadeja's final ball is a tad short and Rizwan cuts a single away. Good start from Jadeja.
04:30 PM
A solid base has been built
This is the 4th time Pakistan have survived the Powerplay without losing a wicket in their 15 T20Is 2021, they’ve gone on to win on the 3 previous occasions this has occurred.#T20WorldCup#INDvPAK
Bhuvneshwar will bowl the final over of the powerplay. His side need a wicket. A legside wide starts the over.
The ball is banged in and Rizwan pulls it for two before taking a single. Babar gives him back the strike. And another single.
Babar elegantly clips the penultimate ball of the powerplay for two. A dot ball ends the first six. Pakistan on top.
04:24 PM
OVER 5: PAK 35/0 (Rizwan 21* Babar 14*)
Shami returns for his second over, Rizwan flicking him for a single. Babar makes room but cannot dab the ball away for a single. Pakistan's run rate has slowed right down.
Shami goes too straight and Babar lofts the ball over the legside for four. A slower ball is delivered and it is flicked for an easy single. Rizwan reaches outside off stump, directing the ball behind square leg for four! That's his trademark shot. He will keep the strike.
04:19 PM
OVER 4: PAK 24/0 (Rizwan 15* Babar 9*)
Chakravarthy, the leg-spinner, comes into the attack. His first ball is pushed for one by Babar. Rizwan hands the strike back to his captain. Rizwan cuts nicely but the outstanding Jadeja stops a run being accumulated. Another dot follows.
Rizwan attempts a cut shot but the ball bounces over his bat. Great bowling so far this over. The final delivery slides on and into the pads. Just two from the over. India fighting back nicely.
04:15 PM
OVER 3: PAK 22/0 (Rizwan 14* Babar 8*)
Here comes Bumrah for the first time. Can he find a breakthrough? Bumrah starts very full and Rizwan works him for a single.
Two dots to Babar follow before a full toss is clipped away for three. Bumrah goes to his slower ball which generates another dot ball. A trademark yorker ends a superb over, just four coming from it.
04:10 PM
OVER 2: PAK 18/0 (Rizwan 13* Babar 5*)
Shami will open from the other end. Babar faces his first ball, taking a quick single to get off the mark. Shami is on the money, drawing a block from Rizwan. The bowler then strays too straight and Rizwan helps himself to two before adding a single to the total.
Babar gets going with a delightful back foot punch through the covers. Four more! A dot ball concludes another good Pakistan over.
04:06 PM
OVER 1: PAK 10/0 (Rizwan 10* Babar 0*)
Bhuvneshwar will open the bowling. His first delivery shapes away, getting an outside edge from Rizwan. There is a slip in place. Rizwan clips the next ball through midwicket for four as Chakravarthy fails to stop it reaching the rope.
The next ball goes for six! Rizwan picks up the ball from outside off stump, hitting it over fine leg. Outstanding shot. Three dot balls follow, good riposte from the bowler.
03:59 PM
The players are back out on the pitch
Here we go...
03:58 PM
WinViz say India have a slight advantage...
Very much a fighting comeback from India to post 151/7 after sitting at 31-3. Virat Kohli's 57(49) no doubt the highlight innings, giving India the slight advantage at the innings break with a 53% chance of defending this target according to WinViz.#T20WorldCup#INDvPAK
Pakistan need 152 to beat India for the first time at a World Cup
Pakistan are favourites, but India are still in this match.
03:48 PM
OVER 20: IND 151/7 (Shami 0* Bhuvneshwar 5*)
The batsmen crossed, Bhuvneshwar will be on strike. He clips the ball into the legside for a well run two. And repeat, another two after good placement by Bhuvneshwar - 150 up! The final ball of the innings is a bye to the keeper.
03:46 PM
WICKET! Pandya c Babar b Rauf 11
Pandya tries to go offside, getting underneath it and Babar takes a simple catch.
FOW: 146/7
03:45 PM
OVER 20: IND 146/6 (Pandya 11* Bhuvneshwar 1*)
Pandya is on strike as Rauf delivers the last over. A slower ball starts the over, beating Pandya. No run. Another slower ball comes, this time Pandya waits for it, clubbing it into the legside for two.
03:42 PM
OVER 19: IND 144/6 (Pandya 9* Bhuvneshwar 1*)
Bhuvneshwar is in. He gets off strike first ball. Pandya ends the over with a four through the offside. And is then called a no-ball! Big moment in the match. Free hit.
Pandya misses the ball but a bye is scrambled. Shaheen decides to throw at the stumps, launching it for four extras! Not good cricket!
03:39 PM
WICKET! Kohli c Rizwan b Shaheen 57
Shaheen has another - and this time it is the India captain! He bangs in a slower ball, Kohli is through the shot too early and gets a thick edge to the keeper. Important knock from Kohli.
FOW: 133/6
03:38 PM
OVER 19: IND 133/5 (Pandya 5* Kohli 57*)
Shaheen, who has not bowled since the powerplay, is back for his last over after a superb opening spell. He starts with a wide.
A play and miss from Pandya follows. A 90mph yorker comes next and Pandya gets a thin edge that races away for four! Pandya attempts to hook a short ball and spoons it for one.
03:34 PM
OVER 18: IND 127/5 (Pandya 0* Kohli 57*)
Kohli works the last ball of Hasan's spell for two more. He has gone for 44 from his four overs, albeit while taking two wickets.
03:33 PM
WICKET! Jadeja c sub b Hasan 13
Hasan responds with a slower ball that is not picked. Jadeja gets underneath it, picking out the man on the mid wicket boundary.
FOW: 125/5
03:32 PM
OVER 18: IND 125/4 (Jadeja 13* Kohli 55*)
India have not accelerated as they hoped. They need to go big now. Hardik Pandya is still in the hutch.
Hasan begins his last over. Kohli pushes him for two into the legside, bringing up his 50! The India captain the belts the ball over extra-cover for four. He then takes one.
Jadeja joins the party, pulling the ball over short fine leg for four! This is more like it!
03:27 PM
OVER 17: IND 114/4 (Jadeja 9* Kohli 48*)
Rauf is back for his third over. Jadeja milks a single. Kohli backs away, launching a drive for just one out to the sweeper. Rauf bowls an off-cutter to Jadeja who pushes it for one. Another slower ball follows, deceiving Kohli. Dot ball. Good from Rauf.
A third slower ball and another dot comes. Kohli is looking frustrated. A sinle ends the over, just four coming from it. Not what India needed at all.
03:22 PM
OVER 16: IND 110/4 (Jadeja 7* Kohli 46*)
Hasan, who has been a touch expensive, is into the attack. Kohli charges him but his pull shot does not get off the strip. Hasan goes short again, and Kohli pulls it for four this time. Short fine leg was in the circle, meaning Kohli had just one man to beat.
A good comeback follows, Hasan nipping the ball away for Kohli. Play and miss. There is decent bounce in this track.
Kohli drives nicely through the covers for four, beating the men in the circle. That was all about timing. He then pushes one into the offside. Jadeja pinches the strike.
03:18 PM
OVER 15: IND 100/4 (Jadeja 6* Kohli 37*)
India are on course for a competitive total, assuming they don't lose wickets in quick succession. They need to start accelerating soon, though. Shadab begins the final over of his spell.
Two dot balls begins the over before Jadeja works a single. Kohli hands him back the strike. Jadeja does the same. Excellent first five balls from Shadab.
Shadab drops a bit short but Kohli can only cut if for one - just four runs from the over. 100 up for India.
03:14 PM
OVER 14: IND 96/4 (Jadeja 4* Kohli 35*)
Rauf begins his second over. Kohli flicks him away for one. Rauf fires in a rapid yorker which Jadeja blocks. A fine cut shot then runs away for two after some tidy fielding from Malik. A single to the same fielder follows.
Haris releases a quick bouncer which is too high - wide called. A yorker comes next and Kohli gets a thin inside edge which runs away for four.
03:09 PM
OVER 13: IND 87/4 (Jadeja 1* Kohli 30*)
Ravi Jadeja comes to the crease, India opting to keep a right hand-left hand partnership. Kohli is on strike, however, and works a single following a dot ball.
Jadeja is off the mark straight away with a single. Kohli will keep the strike.
03:06 PM
WICKET! Pant c&b Shadab 39
Shadab floats up the googly and Pant attempts to park it into the stands. He gets underneath it and Shadab backtracks a few yards to take the catch. Big wicket for Pakistan.
FOW: 84/4
03:05 PM
OVER 13: IND 84/3 (Pant 39* Kohli 28*)
Shadab is back. Pant tries to sweep him, gloving it fine for two runs. A wide down the legside follows.
03:03 PM
OVER 12: IND 81/3 (Pant 37* Kohli 28*)
Hasan returns to the attack. He goes around the wicket to Pant who cuts him for no run. Pant then, with just one hand on the bat, lofts the ball over square leg for six! How did that travel the distance?
Hasan goes over the wicket - and it is the same result! This time the six is back over the bowler's head. India on the charge!
Pant cuts away for a well ran two. Excellent over for India so far. A single follows. Kohli plays out the over with a dot.
02:58 PM
OVER 11: IND 66/3 (Pant 22* Kohli 28*)
Haris Rauf, the genuine quick, is into the attack for the first time. His first ball is carved away for one by Pant. The next delivery is a wide slid down the legside. Kohli gets a leading edge down third man for a single. Pant takes one, Rauf already up to 92mph.
Kohli works one after coming down the track. Rauf goes very full, earning a dot. Pant drives nicely for one, keeping the strike.
02:50 PM
Kohli is not taking any risks at the moment
Virat Kohli played his role as a wicket preserver perfectly in the early exchanges, he is still yet to register a false shot in his innings. #T20WorldCup#INDvPAK
Hafeez will bowl a second. He is around the wicket to Kohli who flicks the ball off his hip for one. Hafeez bowls one which slide on with the arm and yet Pant cuts it from middle stump for four! Remarkable shot. He takes one the next ball. Kohli does the same.
Hafeez hits Pant's pads but the ball is sliding well down the legside. A single ends the over.
At the half-way point, Pakistan are on top - but this partnership is starting to move along nicely for India.
02:46 PM
OVER 9: IND 52/3 (Pant 13* Kohli 24*)
Shadab continues, he starts with a full toss which Kohli's pushes for one. Pant chases a wide googly - play and miss. He then cuts away for two, some excellent fielding from Haris Rauf stopping the boundary with a dive.
Shadab floats the ball up and Pant takes the bait. He gets nothing on it and the ball lands well short of long-off. Kohli hands him back the strike. Pant gets down on one knee, sweeping the ball over the head of short fine leg for a boundary. Top shot.
02:42 PM
OVER 8: IND 43/3 (Pant 6* Kohli 22*)
Pant pushes the ball into the offside for one. Kohli then chips a single into the legside.
02:41 PM
PAKISTAN REVIEW
Pant tries a reverse-sweep and seemingly misses it. Rizwan behind the stumps is convinced he hit it. No decision comes, Pakistan review straight away.
Pant's bat is close to the ball but not close enough! There is nothing on ultra edge.
Decision remains not out
02:39 PM
OVER 8: IND 41/3 (Pant 5* Kohli 21*)
Mohammad Hafeez, the part-time offie, is on, presumably as the left-handed Pant is facing. A dot starts his spell.
Pant sweeps from well outside the off stump for one. Kohli hands him back the strike.
02:37 PM
Here is one of Shaheen's two superb wickets
#India rally to reach 30-2 after five overs after losing Rahul to this sensational delivery from Afridi as #Pakistan made a flying start in Dubai.#T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK
Shadab Khan, the leg-spinner, is into the attack. He starts with a dot to the left-handed Pant. And another. Make that three. Pant then cuts away behind square for two. A dot ball follows, Pant struggling to rotate the strike here. A single ends the over, Pant keeping the strike.
02:33 PM
OVER 6: IND 36/3 (Pant 1* Kohli 20*)
Pant is in at five - so the entertainment is not going anywhere...
Pant gets off the mark first ball with a push into the leg side. Kohli then nails a crips drive through cover-point for four. Perfect timing.
That's the powerplay done, India scoring at exactly six runs per over but losing three wickets.
02:31 PM
WICKET! Suryakumar c Rizwan b Hasan 11
The right arm quick nips one away from Suryakumar who gets a thick edge to Rizwan, the keeper taking an excellent diving catch. Pakistan are well and truly on top!
FOW: 31/3
02:29 PM
OVER 6: IND 31/2 (Suryakumar 11* Kohli 16*)
Hasan Ali will bowl the last over of the powerplay. He starts with a dot before Kohli runs a single down to third man.
02:26 PM
Shaheen has delivered once again for his side
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rewarded for ability to control the new ball today, pushing the ball across the right-handers before picking up the wickets of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with the only two balls hitting the stumps in his opening 2 overs. #T20WorldCup#INDvPAKpic.twitter.com/mceF5ILQnc
Shaheen is given a third over! Pakistan are going for it. Kohli comes down the pitch once more, flicking the ball away for two. Three dot balls follow. Kohli has enough of that, walking down the pitch and launching Shaheen over his head for six! Outstanding batting.
Shaheen responds by attempting a yorker, he gets it too full and Kohli pushes the full toss for one.
02:21 PM
OVER 4: IND 21/2 (Suryakumar 11* Kohli 6*)
Imad continues at the other end. He starts with two dot balls to Kohli before knocking a single down to long-on. Suryakumar attempts a sweep but misses it, an appeal goes up but no decision comes and a single is scampered. It looked like he was just outside the line. No review from Pakistam.
Kohli drops and runs into the offside. Suryakumar sweeps again, but this time he nails it for four. Positive batting from India's no 4.
02:17 PM
OVER 3: IND 14/2 (Suryakumar 7* Kohli 4*)
Well, India are in a spot of bother here. Suryakumar blocks his first ball which is on the money from the left-armer. Shaheen delivers a full toss but it is not cashed in on. Suryakumar whips the ball from outside off stump for a single - he is off the mark.
Kohli wanders out of his crease to clip the ball away for a single. He has decided that negating the swing is required. Shaheen bangs the ball in and Suryakumer hooks it for six! He was not in control of the shot, and only just beat the diving man on the boundary, but six runs it is...
Does Baber give Shaheen a third?
02:13 PM
WICKET! Rahul b Shaheen 3
Shaheen is on fire! He swings the ball back into Rahul, nipping the ball between bat and pad to hit the stumps. India are stunned! Outstanding bowling - that was borderline unplayable.
FOW: 6/2
02:10 PM
OVER 2: IND 6/1 (Rahul 3* Kohli 3*)
Pakistan opt to start with spin from the other end in the form of left-arm dart bowler Imad Wasim. Kohli flicks a single to short fine leg. Rahul plays the next ball to cover for no run. No spin on show thus far.
Rahul rocks back and flicks a single into the leg side. Kohli hands him back the strike. A dot ball to Rahul follows, before the over ends with another single.
02:06 PM
OVER 1: IND 2/1 (Rahul 1* Kohli 1*)
Enter Virat Kohli. Shaheen sends the ball across India's captain who leaves the ball well alone. Kohli then gets off the mark with a tentative push into the leg side. Superb opening over from the immensely talented Shaheen.
02:04 PM
WICKET! Rohit lbw Shaheen 0
What a start for Pakistan! Rohit is gone first ball! Shaheen spears a yorker in at the opener and he is absolutely plum. Big wicket.
FOW: 1/1
02:03 PM
OVER 1: IND 1/0 (Rahul 1* Rohit 0*)
There is already some chat going on between Babar and Rohit. India want to take the knee, Pakistan want to put their hands over their hearts. Both teams have now done the gesture they wanted... shambles from the off, neither team knew when to do it.
The first ball of the innings shapes back into Rahul from the left-armer Shaheen. The next delivery is driven nicely for no run. India get off the mark with a drop and run into the leg side.
01:59 PM
Here we go!
Shaheen Shah Afridi will bowl the first over.
01:55 PM
The national anthems are under way
Not long to go now.
01:48 PM
No Ravi Ashwin for India - here's why
India leave out Ashwin - Pakistan's right-hand dominated batting line-up means they wanted to avoid his off spin, preferring Chak's ability to turn the ball both ways
India should be too strong for Pakistan today .. But this Pakistan team in these conditions could beat anyone .. Hearing 1 Billion will be watching globally .. India to win .. #India vs Pakistan #T20WorldCup
That seems to be the preference at this tournament.
01:28 PM
No IPL involvement for Pakistan players leads to stats like these
In an age when domestic tournaments ensure players from all countries face each other very often, #IND v #PAK is obviously an exception to the rule. India’s batters have faced a total of 26 balls (!) from bowlers in #PAK squad, while #PAK have faced 150 from #IND. #T20WorldCup
India and Pakistan last met at the 2019 World Cup (50-over edition)
On that day at Old Trafford, India won by 89 runs (D/L method) with Rohit Sharma scoring 140. Expect it to be much closer today.
01:11 PM
Good afternoon and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of India-Pakistan
India captain Virat Kohli said his side's impeccable tournament record against Pakistan will count for nothing when they face each other today and they will need to be at their very best to overcome Babar Azam's side in the Twenty20 World Cup.
India have a 12-0 record against Pakistan in Twenty20 and 50-overs World Cups and they will hope to extend that streak in their tournament opener against their arch-rivals.
Kohli, who will relinquish Twenty20 captaincy after the showpiece event, knows the importance of beginning well and said he is not thinking about his side's record against Pakistan which brings its own pressure.
"We never discussed it within the team -- what our record is, or what we achieved in the past," the 32-year-old told a news conference on Saturday.
"They distract you. What matters is how you prepare and how you perform on that given day regardless of opposition. These things are added pressure."
The match is a repeat of the 2007 final when India pipped Pakistan to the inaugural title after a heart-stopping match.
Kohli said teams would underestimate the 2009 champions at their own peril.
"The current Pakistan team is very strong, they always have been so. They are very talented, with several players who can change the game anytime," Kohli said.
"Against a team like that, you need to arrive with your best plans, and make sure you execute it well. We definitely have to bring our A game tomorrow."
There is lot of hype around the mouth-watering clash between the neighbours but Kohli said he treated it like just another game.
"For me, it's never been different to any other game of cricket that we play.
"Yes, the atmosphere in the stadium is different but our mindset is no different, our preparations are no different, and our approach to the game is certainly no different."
Like Kohli, Babar too refused to dwell on the past in his first global tournament as Pakistan skipper.
"We are not focused on what happened in the past, but looking forward to what lies ahead," he said.
"It's important to start well, and make an early impact. We are excited to be here."
The team met Prime Minister and former captain Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 1992, before leaving for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"He shared his experience of the 1992 World Cup -- his mindset and his and the team's body language during the tournament," Babar said.
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