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India and Pakistan face off in their 14th T20 clash, recalling the 2007 T20 World Cup bowl-out where MS Dhoni-led India to a historic win.
India defeated Pakistan 3-0 in a first-ever bowl-out
It’s that day of the year when arch-rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns in the cricket field. Unlike past India-Pakistan encounters in multination tournaments, the sentiment is different this time, especially in India. The fans are agitated over BCCI’s agreement to play with the neighbours in the Asia Cup. However, the players and coaches are bound to follow the government’s directive.
It will be the 14th T20 encounter between India and Pakistan on Sunday evening. A rivalry that began exactly 18 years ago, on September 14, 2007, in Durban. And who could forget that famous first-ever bowl-out that marked the historic debut of MS Dhoni as Indian captain.
India batted first and posted 141 for 9. Robin Uthappa scored a fifty while skipper Dhoni (33) and Irfan Pathan (20) made notable contributions. Mohammad Asif troubled the Indians, returning 4 for 18.
In reply, Pakistan struggled likewise. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq got a fifty but couldn’t take his team beyond the finish line. The game was tied and headed into a bowl-out as Super-Over was yet to be coined. Five players from each side were tasked to bowl and hit the stumps on the other side.
India aced the first-ever bowl out in T20I history 3-0. The likes of Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa and Harbhajan Singh hit the bull’s eye. Pakistani bowlers Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat missed to hit the stumps.
Much later, the Indian players came out on public platforms and revealed that the Indian contingent had practiced bowl-out in the nets before trying it to beat Pakistan.
MS Dhoni instituted bowl-out practice sessions at the beginning of each practice in the 2007 T20 World Cup. These fun games would pit batsmen against bowlers, with the goal being to hit the stumps. The players who showed the best accuracy in these practice sessions, regardless of whether they were specialist bowlers or batsmen, would be chosen for an actual bowl-out if one was needed. And that’s how India scripted history in South Africa before clinching the T20 World Cup.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
September 14, 2025, 17:10 IST
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