In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match in Colombo, India set a target of 176 runs. Pakistan’s reply was disrupted early when Axar Patel removed captain Babar Azam, who made five, leaving Pakistan at 34-4.

Axar Patel delivered the breakthrough that swung the momentum. His delivery to Babar Azam resulted in a clean dismissal, and commentators reacted immediately, saying, “He’s cleaned him up!”

The wicket of Babar, followed by other early losses, left Pakistan struggling to rebuild.

• India: 176 (first innings)
• Pakistan: 34-4 (chasing)
• Babar Azam: 5 (dismissed by Axar Patel)

With Pakistan reduced to four wickets down inside the powerplay, the side were described as “floating adrift” by on-air commentators, reflecting the early pressure on the chase.

The early collapse places Pakistan on the back foot in a high-scoring contest. India will look to exploit the advantage with disciplined bowling and fielding, while Pakistan must stabilise the innings if they are to keep pace with the required run rate.

Key factors to monitor for the remainder of the match include Pakistan’s ability to put together partnerships, how India manages their bowling rotations, and whether any middle-order batsman can stem the collapse and mount a counterattack.

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world. New Delhi is the capital.

It has an exceptionally diverse population, with Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other religions speaking over 21 recognised languages.

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It has a population exceeding 212.2 million, including the world’s second-largest Muslim population. It has an area of 881,913 square kilometres (340,509 square miles).

Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometre (650-mile) coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest, and China to the northeast. It is separated narrowly from Tajikistan by Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor in the northwest, and also shares a maritime border with Oman.