And so, for the second consecutive T20 World Cup, India summoned an outlandish victory. On a magical night in Melbourne two years ago, it came through the bat of Virat Kohli, as India looted 28 from the last eight balls of their chase. On this New York afternoon, Pakistan lost 6-56 from the final 10 overs of their innings. Pakistan have never failed to chase down such a small target in T20; India have never defended such a low one.

For all Bumrah’s magnificence, it was another performance to cast doubt on Pakistan’s entire T20 approach, which has not kept pace with the zeitgeist. Rizwan, together with Babar Azam half of the side’s fated opening pair, scored just 31 from his 44 balls, leaving too much for his team-mates to do against Bumrah. It was a failing that Babar tacitly acknowledged.

“The tactics were simple – play normally, rotate strike, five-six an over,” the Pakistan captain said. “We had too many dot balls, the pressure was on us, and we lost three quick wickets.”

Stadium built for India vs Pakistan

Pakistan are now at grave risk of being eliminated. They need to win their final two games, against Canada and Ireland, to advance to four points. But should USA defeat Ireland, or India, they would advance to six points; even if the co-hosts lose both their matches, then Pakistan would need to overtake their net run rate.

The seductive notion of India facing Pakistan in New York underpinned the entire construction of the stadium in Eisenhower Park. Nassau County International Cricket Stadium was built hastily for this tournament; almost as quickly, it will be disassembled, after Wednesday’s game between the US and India. An outfield with an artificial wicket will be all that is left behind.

The afternoon rain felt typically perverse: a reminder that, however corporate the game becomes, cricket will never be able to guard against the vicissitudes of fate. Not that the ICC did not try to, extending the reserve time for India-Pakistan beyond that for other games; this extra leeway appeared necessary when showers delayed play, then briefly curtailed it one over into the match. 

Even at cricket’s biggest ever World Cup, which might well be a seminal moment in the sport’s globalisation, some teams are a lot more equal than others.