Watch: Babar Azam called upon Mohammad Nawaz to bowl the last over. India emerged victorious after one of the most singular overs in the history of cricket, where India chased down 16 despite a solitary boundary hit.
Chasing 160 in their T20 World Cup 2022 match against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India were left reeling at 31-4 before Virat Kohli (82 not out in 53 balls) and Hardik Pandya (40 in 37) added 113 to keep them in the hunt. Having run out of options, Pakistan captain Babar Azam entrusted Nawaz – who had been hit for three sixes in his previous over – to bowl the last over. India needed 16.
Nawaz’s first ball was on the leg-stump. Pandya went for a slog but only got a leading edge, and the ball ballooned to extra-cover. 16 in 5.
Dinesh Karthik walked out. Nawaz bowled a full-toss, Karthik went for the big shot, but could only pick up a single from long-on. 15 in 4.
Nawaz’s next ball was almost a yorker, and all Kohli could do was play it to long-on. However, Karthik sprinted back to ensure not only the second run but Kohli’s presence at the striker’s end. So far, a normal over. 13 in 3.
The next ball was a full-toss that Kohli duly dispatched over a leaping Asif Ali at deep square-leg for six. Marais Erasmus at square-leg signalled a no-ball for height, and despite Babar’s protests, the decision stayed put. 6 in 3.
Nawaz – rightly – tried to keep the free hit as far away from Kohli as possible. He got the length right but not the line, and it turned out to be too wide. 5 in 3.
Nawaz got the next ball on the stumps. Kohli missed the sweep, the ball hit the stumps and ran past wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The ball was still in play, and Kohli and Karthik ran three byes. 2 in 2.
Nawaz tried to cram Karthik for spin. Karthik missed the sweep, and the alert Rizwan tumbled over and pulled off a stumping. It took the third umpire to confirm the decision. 2 in 1.
R Ashwin arrived. The first ball was speared down leg, but Ashwin read the line immediately and did not even bother to move. It was indeed a wide. 1 in 1.
Babar brought his field in. Ashwin stood deeper in the crease. The ball that would have been a yorker otherwise ended up being a half-volley, and Ashwin lofted it over mid-off to seal the match.
Watch the absurd last over from the India-Pakistan match here:
Bet365 will be Live Streaming all of the T20 World Cup matches direct to your iPhone, iPad or Android device, as well as desktop. This means that every T20 World Cup fixture will be available to bet365 customers wherever they are in the world.
