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Throwback To MS Dhoni Outsmarting Pakistan With A Genius Move That Won India Bowl-Out

Akshita Patel

India-Pakistan bowl out in 2007 World Cup [Source: ICC]India-Pakistan bowl out in 2007 World Cup [Source: ICC]

In one of the most thrilling moments in T20 cricket history, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan through a bowl-out in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup, a tie-breaker that tested not just skill but composure under pressure. MS Dhoni used some unconventional bowlers to rattle Pakistan in a high-pressure moment.

Both teams had completed their 20-over innings with the same score of 141. India began their innings and managed 141/9, with Robin Uthappa contributing a gritty 50. Pakistan replied with Misbah-ul-Haq's 53 and equalised the scores, but Indian discipline in their bowling paid dividends.

In the end, both teams finished on the same score. The game proceeded to a bowl-out, a rare situation in international cricket, akin to a penalty shoot-out in football.

India Beat Pakistan In Rare And Entertaining Bowl-Out

Here’s where the magic happened. As Pakistan chose to bowl their usual pacers Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, and Shahid Afridi at the stumps, MS Dhoni took a risky route.  

He backed the part-time, non-specialist bowlers Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Robin Uthappa because he felt they could be more consistently accurate than the fast bowlers. Sehwag hit first. Harbhajan followed with another direct hit. 

Then came Uthappa, who not only knocked the stumps over but also bowed cheekily in celebration. All three attempts from India were successful. Pakistan, on the other hand, missed all three of their shots. India won the bowl-out 3-0. 

It was India's historic first and sole bowl-out, and it came in the largest possible game. Even all these years later, the historic bowl-out remains one of the most intriguing memories in the India-Pakistan rivalry.

Yet, the bowl-out did not survive in international cricket since it was discarded and replaced by super overs.