Arch-rivals India and Pakistan went up against each other in the final of Blind T20 World Cup 2017. India had the last laugh in the tournament as they won the final by 9 wickets and avenged their defeat in the league matches. The final was played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on February 12. This is India’s second title win on the trot in T20 World Cup.
Chasing a target of 199 in the final, Indian openers Prakasha Jayaramaiah and Ajay Kumar Reddy were off to a flier. They scored at a brisk rate keeping the run-rate in check right from the beginning. Skipper Reddy got run out for 43 from 41 deliveries. But, Reddy’s wicket did not have much impact on the game as India won the game with 14 balls to spare. Ketal Patel scored 26 before he got retired hurt for 26 due to an unfortunate event when the ball struck the back of his head.
CHAMPIONS! #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/9JV6qF6YT5
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2017
Jayaramaiah played a cracker of an innings as he fell just 1 run short of his century. He scored 99 from 60 balls, which included constant hammering the ball all over the park, his remarkable inning featured 15 boundaries. Venkatesh walked in when Patel retired and saw India home without a fuss.
India had a rather comfortable tournament as they won most of the matches comprehensively. Pakistan too were invincible in the tournament scoring over 300 runs in almost every game. They had a great start with the bat in the final as well but, thanks to Indian bowlers who came back in the game and restricted them for 198 with 8 wickets down.
India have a 75 per cent win record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups. They have won three out of four matches in the T20 World Cup including the final.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 198 for 8 in 20 overs (Muhammad Jamil 24, Badar Munir 57, EXTRAS 28; Ketan Patel 2 for 29, Mohammad Jaffer Iqbal 2 for 33) lost to India 200 for 1 in 17.4 overs (Prakasha Jayaramaiah 99*, Ketan Patel 26, EXTRAS 21) by 9 wickets with 14 balls to spare.
