*The Sharja Sandstorm: India Breaks Pakistan's Heart in a Last-Over Thriller!*
Dear Mitali,
How are you? I hope you're doing well. Today, I'm going to tell you a story, a story that will probably be remembered forever. The India vs. Pakistan match in Sharja yesterday, the final moments of that game were incredible, thrilling, and absolutely breathtaking! Watching it on TV, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack! I can't tell you the whole 9-10 page story right now, but the real heart of the match was in the last three overs. If I describe those three overs, you'll understand why I'm calling it one of the best matches in cricket history.
The match was in its absolute final stages. India needed 25 runs to win from the last 3 overs, with 3 wickets in hand. Among Pakistan's bowlers, Shaheen Afridi had just picked up two crucial wickets in his last spell, and during that very spell, we had lost explosive batsmen like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. The scoreboard then read 141/7 for India. At the crease were Ravindra Jadeja (28 runs from 19 balls) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 runs from 3 balls). Although Jadeja had played a significant innings, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a tail-ender, and relying on him was quite difficult. Pakistani supporters were erupting in cheers then, their victory almost certain.
But Indian supporters hadn't given up hope yet. Because at the crease was "Sir" Ravindra Jadeja – who has the ability to turn a match around by keeping a cool head under pressure.
*18th Over: (Pakistan's Bowler: Haris Rauf)*
This over was the turning point of the match. Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, brought Haris Rauf into the attack. His pace and Yorkers were dangerous for any batsman.
- *18.1 Over:* Haris Rauf bowled his first ball. A 145 km/h Yorker, just above the leg stump. Jadeja stepped forward and swung his bat powerfully. The ball sailed over mid-wicket, crossing the boundary rope for a direct four! The cheers from the Indian crowd suddenly intensified. Score: 145/7. (India needed 21 runs from 12 balls)
- *18.2 Over:* The next ball was a bit short of length. Jadeja slightly moved and pushed it to mid-off, taking a quick single. Bhuvneshwar took strike. Score: 146/7.
- *18.3 Over:* Now the ball was directed at Bhuvneshwar. Haris Rauf delivered a superb outswinging delivery. Bhuvneshwar couldn't properly connect, and the ball went behind the stumps. No run. This delivery put pressure on Bhuvneshwar's mindset.
- *18.4 Over:* Haris Rauf again relied on his pace. A 148 km/h Yorker. Bhuvneshwar Kumar somehow managed to get his bat down and defend it. A dot ball! The tension mounted.
- *18.5 Over:* This time, Haris Rauf bowled a full toss! As if fate was on India's side! Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't miss the opportunity. He swung his bat with full force, and the ball flew past mid-off, straight to the boundary! What an incredible shot! With this shot, the momentum of the match shifted again. The Indian dugout seemed to come alive. Score: 150/7.
- *18.6 Over:* The last ball of the over. Haris Rauf bowled a slower delivery this time. Bhuvneshwar Kumar couldn't read it, and the ball took the edge of his bat, going straight towards third man. Just one run. Jadeja remained on strike. Score: 151/7.
10 runs came from this over. Now India needed 12 runs from the last 12 balls. The match had heated up again!
*19th Over: (Pakistan's Bowler: Shaheen Afridi)*
Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, brought in his best bowler, Shaheen Afridi. He would bowl his last over. Shaheen had already taken 3 wickets in this match. His bowling was a deadly combination of swing and pace.
- *19.1 Over:* Shaheen Afridi began his run-up. Fear in the minds of Indian supporters, hope in the eyes of Pakistani supporters. His first ball was a perfect Yorker, outside the off stump. Jadeja swung his bat, but the ball went behind the wickets, no run. It was a dot ball. The pressure increased further. Score: 151/7. (India needed 12 runs from 11 balls)
- *19.2 Over:* Shaheen Afridi bowled a slightly short ball this time, which is not usually his weapon. Jadeja capitalized on the opportunity. He powerfully upper-cut the ball over third man. There was a possibility of a catch, but the ball crossed the boundary line for 4 runs! The gallery erupted in cheers! What confidence! Score: 155/7. (India needed 8 runs from 10 balls)
- *19.3 Over:* Shaheen Afridi was frustrated. This time, he bowled his famous inswinging Yorker. Jadeja skillfully pushed it towards mid-wicket. A quick single. The strike went to Bhuvneshwar. Score: 156/7.
- *19.4 Over:* Ball to Bhuvneshwar. Shaheen Afridi delivered an excellent Yorker. Bhuvneshwar could only defend it. No run. A dot ball. Pressure again!
- *19.5 Over:* Shaheen Afridi tried to bowl another Yorker. But this time, the ball became a bit of a full toss, above the leg stump. Bhuvneshwar Kumar swung his bat with all his might. The ball flew over deep fine leg, into the stands! Six! Incredible! Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit a six! It was as if lightning struck the cricket field! Score: 162/7. (India needed 4 runs from 1 ball)
- *19.6 Over:* Last ball! The last ball of the match! Bhuvneshwar on strike. India needed 4 runs. Shaheen Afridi again delivered his best Yorker. Bhuvneshwar made a last-ditch effort, brought his bat down, but the ball took the edge of his bat and went straight into the hands of the fielder! Caught out! Bhuvneshwar Kumar was out!
The entire gallery was silent! Unbelievable! Bhuvneshwar was out! India needed 4 runs from the last over, with only 1 wicket left! The new batsman was Umesh Yadav. Pakistani fans again erupted in cheers.
*20th Over: (Pakistan's Bowler: Naseem Shah)*
India needed 4 runs to win from the last 6 balls. With only 1 wicket in hand. At the crease were Ravindra Jadeja (33 runs from 22 balls) and the new batsman, Umesh Yadav. Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, called upon his youngest and most talented fast bowler, Naseem Shah. The pressure on Naseem was immense. Babar Azam had immense faith in his pace.
- *20.1 Over:* Naseem Shah's first ball. A fiery delivery. Umesh Yadav swung his bat hard on the very first ball. The ball took the outside edge of his bat, went to the right of the second slip fielder, and raced to the boundary! 4 runs off Umesh Yadav's bat! What an incredible start! With these 4 runs, India's score became 166/8. India won the match!
The entire stadium erupted in cheers! Indian supporters were screaming and dancing like crazy! Players rushed onto the field. Jadeja hugged Umesh Yadav. Pakistani players slumped to the ground in despair. Tears in Babar Azam's eyes! The last 3 overs of the match were like a roller coaster ride! Sometimes swinging towards Pakistan, sometimes towards India. In the end, India emerged victorious.
I still can't believe how India won this match. This victory wasn't just a cricket match; it was an example of an unyielding spirit, belief, and keeping a cool head under pressure. After watching a match like this, it makes you feel that cricket truly is the greatest game!
That's all for today. Take care.
Sincerely,
Your dear friend,
[Sudip Mondal]