India Vs Pakistan: T20 Cricket Series Drawn As Yuvraj Wins Ahmedabad Match For India!

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If Pakistan is winning India cannot be far behind! And vice versa! Whatever one of these two great competitive neighbors do the other can hardly accept and instead of reciprocation they prefer to retaliate! In politics non-acceptance translates shamelessly into denial, and in cricket defeat translates seamlessly into victory. Of course, Pakistan won the toss both the times and chased both the times…maybe that was unavoidable. But after Pakistan won the first T20 international cricket match in Bangalore India was in grave national danger of losing the Series and facing the music. That too…after five long years and being the benevolent hosts. Therefore India had to retaliate or rather deny Pakistan another victory. India won the second and last T20 international in Ahmedabad tonight defeating a valiant Pakistan by 11 runs thus sharing the honors equally with the Series drawn 1-1. 

Player of the Match Yuvraj Singh has delivered a tremendous match winning performance bringing back his past glory so emphatically. Put into bat India made a rousing start with openers piling up 44 runs in less than five overs. But when Gambhir got out at the team score at 44 followed by Rahane at 53 and Virat Kohli falling to a run out at 88/3 in 12 overs the familiar Indian story was unfolding again. But Yuvraj Singh had different ideas this time around. With a healthy run rate still maintained he blazed away to a stupendous 72 run knock in just 36 balls with 7 sixes and 4 fours. Skipper Dhoni (33 not out) gave him solid support and India reached a commanding total of 192/5 in allotted 20 overs. Though hit initially Umar Gul was brilliant again capturing four wickets—the only wicket taker for Pakistan.

Pakistan gave a fitting reply with openers Jamshed and Shehzad piling up 74 runs in about 10 overs when Ashwin made the first breakthrough. Yuvraj made it 84/2 the next over. Player of the Series Hafeez (55 not out) laid anchors for another crucial partnership with Umar Akmal. When Pakistan reached 146 in 16 overs looking set for an improbable victory the wickets started tumbling. The climbing asking rate and an accurate Dinda contributed largely to the slide. Finally the total of 192 proved too much for Pakistan and they folded up for 181/7 in allotted 20 overs. Continuing with his lapses behind the wicket captain Dhoni managed to save the T20 Cricket Series for now though. With the twists and turns part and parcel of the classic encounters between the two and the vice-versa factor added as a topping the three-match One-Day International Cricket Series that kicks off in Chennai on 30th December does not pretend to be but is indeed a mouth watering prospect. The Scorecard:

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