Pakistan vs Australia : An over that broke many hearts

It was a night to remember. 11 November 2021, both teams slugged it out like two heavy weight boxers in the arena, under the ring of fire, at Dubai’s international cricket stadium. Australia and Pakistan matched each other blow for blow. Just when one looked to take the ascendency the other pulled a punch or two. Both staggered at times but none fell. And throwing the towel was not an option. The prize was a place in the 2021 T-20 world cup final. Then, with the match balanced on the edge of the proverbial knife, came the penultimate over. It was the round that brought one down and left the other standing, barely. With Australia needing 22 to win of 12 balls that’s how it all unfolded.

19th over Ball 1

Shaheen Shah, Pakistan’s spearhead, tears in like a panther going for the kill. He balls a rapid delivery. Stonis tries to pull the ball over the legside boundry. It takes the under edge of the blazing blade and falls tantalizingly short of Rizwan. Saved by inches. It was the inches that betrayed us on the night. It was the inches that saved Mitchel Marsh from being LBW to Shaheen shah when he was on zero; an umpires call that could have gone either way. The burly Aussie went on to score crucial 28 of 22 balls. Still 22 to win

19th over Ball 2

Another thunderbolt from Shaheen raps Stonis on the pads. An appeal. Not out says the umpire. Again, saved by inches as the ball is shown to be pitched outside leg. A leg bye is taken and the pugnacious Mathew Wade is brought on strike. 21 to win. Next ball a wide to Mathew Wade and now 20 to win. Pressure.

19th over Ball 3

Drama! Wade goes for the leg side boundary, the white ball roars upward in the night sky. It has the elevation but not the distance. Hassan Ali, who up till this moment has had a forgetful night with the ball, moves into position to catch the ball. But a dispersed mind leads to shaky hands. The catch is dropped; catch that might have sent Wade back to the pavilion. And with him, possibly Australia’s chances. It certainly would have nudged the win predictor in Pakistan’s favor. But this wasn’t meant to be. Some in the crowd are distraught. Hands are placed on the heads and palms are slapped on the brows. Shoaib Malik, the elderly statesman, tries to console Hassan Ali and the crowd feebly claps to cheer him up. Two runs are taken. Target reduced to 18 of 9 balls.

19th over Ball 4

Shaheen runs in and balls his go-to- ball, a yorker. Wade bends low and goes for a scoop over the wicket keeper. A perfect contact and Shaheens pace does the rest as the sails over the boundary line for a six. Hassan Ali must have felt a stab in his fast-throbbing head. 12 to win.

19th over Ball 5

A dropped catch followed by a six is too much for the 21-year-old prodigy. He goes for a slow ball and wade for a swipe. Wade wins as the ball flies over Hassan Ali and lands in the midst of Pakistani fans. 6 to win.

19th over ball 6

The battle is all but lost. Shaheen makes one last gallop. Once again, he tries a yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss. Wade goes on his knees. Another scoop. Another six. Target achieved. “History has repeated itself,” yells Ian Bishop over the microphone, probably alluding to Mike Hussy’s dismembering of Saeed Ajmal in another T-20 world cup semifinal from another age and time. Hearts are broken, yet again.

And that’s how it all happened. It was the over that ended green shirts inspired campaign that had already won them a million hearts. 18 days of magic cricket was ended by one spell.