Did You Know? IND Vs PAK, T20 WC 2022 Match Was First-Ever International Match To Be Broadcast In Brazil

The highly anticipated group-stage encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 made history beyond the cricket field. The thrilling match, held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, 2022, marked a significant milestone as it was the first-ever international cricket match to be broadcast on national television in Brazil.

For a nation traditionally dominated by football, this broadcast opened a new window into the world of cricket, showcasing one of the sport's most intense rivalries to a fresh audience.

The match itself was a nail-biting affair, ultimately decided by the extraordinary batting prowess of India's ace batter, Virat Kohli. Winning the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first. Pakistan got off to a rocky start, losing openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan early to the impressive bowling of Arshdeep Singh.

However, a resilient 51 runs off 34 balls from Iftikhar Ahmed and an unbeaten 52 off 42 balls from Shan Masood helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 159/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi also contributed a quickfire 16 runs off 8 balls. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya were the pick of the bowlers, each claiming three wickets, while Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar secured one wicket apiece.

India's chase began disastrously, with both openers falling cheaply. The onus then fell squarely on Virat Kohli, who walked in at number three. Despite losing Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel, Kohli, alongside Hardik Pandya, forged a crucial 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

As the tension mounted, Hardik Pandya was dismissed, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope. However, it was Kohli's sheer determination and brilliant strokeplay that turned the tide. He delivered a miraculous unbeaten knock of 82 runs off just 53 balls, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and securing a thrilling four-wicket win for India.

This unforgettable clash not only provided a captivating display of cricket but also served as a historic moment for the sport's global reach, introducing the excitement of international cricket to a brand new audience in Brazil.