The ICC men’s T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan was a lop-sided affair as Babar Azam and his team recorded a famous 10-wicket victory over India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 24. This victory meant that they broke their World Cup jinx against arch-rivals India and finally got to change the head-to-head score.

Ahead of the clash of the titans, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh had asked former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar to tell the Pakistan Cricket Team, led by Babar Azam, to give India a walkover, owing to the Men in Blue’s unbeaten record.

However, as Babar Azam scripted history, Akhtar had a cheeky message for Harbhajan. In a social media post, the Rawalpindi Express asked the Indian spinner: “Haan Bhajji? Harbhajan Singh. Walkover lena hai? Nahi lena? Acha.”

“Chalo, kya karsakte hain yar. Relax yar, enjoy the day. And, bardaasht karo,” said the former Pakistan pacer.

In English, it loosely translates to: Yes, Harbhajan Singh? Do you still want a walkover? No? Okay. Relax and enjoy the day. And, bear with it.

Both the players share a good camaraderie both on and off the field.

As far as the match is concerned, after being invited to bat, India were put on the mat by Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi, who took the wickets of Rohit Sharma (0) and KL Rahul (3) early in the innings, and then came back in the death to dismiss the Indian captain Virat Kohli for 57.

In reply, Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan constructed their innings beautifully to ease past the total and hand India an embarrassing defeat. This was also the first time India lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets in a T20 World Cup match.

While the Pakistan captain remained unbeaten on 68, his partner Rizwan remained not out on 79. Young pacer Shaheen Afridi was adjudged man of the match for his game-changing spell.

The next matches

While Pakistan has a one-day rest before they take on New Zealand on October 26, India’s second match, against New Zealand, will be held on October 31.