Indian bowlers produced a disciplined effort after a middling batting display to subdue the United States of America by 29 runs, starting their ICC T20 World Cup campaign on a winning note here on Saturday.
Pacers Mohammad Siraj (2/29) Arshdeep Singh (2/18) and left-arm spinner Axar Patel (2/24) were the pick of the bowlers, after India laboured to 161 for 9.
In reply, the USA were restricted to 132/8.
Milind Kumar (34), Shubham Ranjane (37) and Suraj Krishnamurthi (37) fought well but were no match to the big-match experience of Indian bowlers.
Earlier, Skipper Suryakumar Yadav fought back with a counter-attacking half-century (84, 49 balls) to cover up the failure of his colleagues in the top and middle order.
India were left shell-shocked at 77 for 6 in the 13th over as USA’s 37-year-old South African-born pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/25) tore through the batting, striking thrice in a brutal sixth over to remove Ishan Kishan (20), Tilak Varma (25) and Shivam Dube (0)
Brief scores: India 161/9 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 84 not out; Shadley van Schalkwyk 4/25, Ali Khan 1/13, Harmeet Singh 2/26) beat USA: 132/8 in 20 overs (Milind Kumar 34, Suraj Krishnamurthi 37; Mohammad Siraj 2/ Arshdeep Singh 2/18, Axar Patel 2/24) by 29 runs.
Hetmyer, Shepherd dazzle as WI begin T20 WC with win over Scotland
Romario Shepherd grabbed five wickets after Shimron Hetmyer hit a fiery fifty as two-time champions West Indies began their T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable 35-run victory over late entrants Scotland here on Saturday.
Invited to bat, Hetmyer blazed away to 36-ball-64, notching up the fastest fifty by a West Indian in the tournament. Late Sherfane Rutherford’s 13-ball 26 cameo helped West Indies post a formidable 182 for 5.
Shepherd (5/20) then starred with the ball claiming four wickets, including a hat-trick, in the 17th over to help bowl out Scotland for 147.
Brief Scores
West Indies: 182 for 5 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 64; Brad Currie 2/23.
Scotland: 147 all out in 18.5 overs (Richie Berrington (42, Tom Bruce 32; Romario Shepherd 5/20).
Pakistan beat Netherlands by 3 wickets in T20 World Cup opener
Pakistan defeated Netherlands by three wickets in T20 World Cup opener here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Netherlands lost the way in the later part of their innings after a strong start as Pakistan bowled them out for 147 in 19.5 overs.
In reply, opener Sahibzada Farhan made 47 off 31 balls, while Faheem Ashraf played an unbeaten 11-ball 29-run cameo to help Pakistan chase down the target with three balls to spare.
Paul van Meekeren (2/20) and Aryan Dutt (2/33) were the most successful bowlers for Netherlands.
Brief Scores
Netherlands: 147 all out in 19.5 overs (Scott Edwards 37, Bas de Leede 30; Salman Mirza 3/24, Saim Ayub 2/7, Mohammad Nawaz 2/38, Abrar Ahmed 2/23).
Pakistan: 148 for 7 in 19.3 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 47, Faheem Ashraf 29 not out, Paul van Meekeren 2/20, Aryan Dutt 2/33).