No.9 Naseem was on strike when Pakistan needed 12 off the last two balls, having squandered an advantageous position to need 18 off the final over. A Naseem scoop off the fourth ball had kept them in the hunt.
The penultimate ball, by Arshdeep Singh, was delivered wide of off and Naseem gave it a hard whack, but it wasn't enough for the big side of the boundary. The shot escaped a diving Virat Kohli but fell short of the ropes, going for a four and mathematically ruling Pakistan out, barring an illegitmate final delivery.
The final ball was a low full-toss and Naseem could only dig it out, sparking celebration among the Indian fielders. As Rohit Sharma & Co celebrated, Naseem trudged back teary-eyed, with teammate Shaheen Afridi's arm around his shoulder, consoling him. Rohit was seen walking up to Naseem and giving him a pat of consolation as well.
In the past, Naseem has starred in 20th-over wins: he famously hit two sixes against Afghanistan to take Pakistan to the final of the 2022 Asia Cup.
Naseem Shah has more game awareness than our "finishers". Good Try lad 👏🏻💚#IndvsPak pic.twitter.com/WtPCo6pR1j
— عاقد (@aquidtweets) June 9, 2024
Naseem was also the star with the ball in the India innings, taking 3-21 – including wickets of Virat Kohli, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube – to help restrict India to 119.
In reply, Pakistan looked on course at 73-2 in the 13th over, before losing their way and finishing on 113-7.
Last week, Pakistan lost to USA; the India defeat has now left them needing wins against Ireland and Canada at the very least, and other results to go their way to stand a chance of qualifying.
Watch Naseem Shah leave the ground in tears:
Naseem Shah is in tears after losing to India. It’s not his fault because he gave 100%. I must say, shame on Mohsin Naqvi.
— Hina Zainab (@hina98_hina) June 9, 2024
#PakvsInd pic.twitter.com/Hp2pjaYCUb