AHMEDABAD (Dunya News) – A special innings by skipper Rohit Sharma and disciplined bowling performance helped India secure a dominant win by seven wickets over Pakistan in a group stage match of the World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Team Blue achieved the target of 191 runs in 30.3 overs with Sharma smashing 86. After Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli could not extend support to the skipper in pursuing the small total, Shreyas Iyer led the campaign and ensured India’s victory with a knock.
Shaheen Afridi claimed two wickets while Hasan Ali dismissed one Indian player but the bowling lineup overall could not slow down India's chase.
Earlier, a stunning bowling performance helped India restrict Pakistan to 191 runs. Abdullah Shafique and Imamul Haq started in a positive style. While they were watchful against the disciplined Jasprit Bumrah, they took their chances against any loose delivery from Mohammed Siraj.
Siraj got one to jag in and trapped Shafique leg before wicket in the eighth over. When Imam and Babar tried to build a healthy scoring rate, the former went for an expansive drive and ended up edging a Pandya delivery to KL Rahul.
Babar Azam was dismissed by Siraj for 50, pulling the match back to India. After his removal, Mohammad Rizwan was removed for 49.
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2023
At this point, Pakistan suffered back-to-back blows as Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Saud Shakeel could not perform before skillful bowling by Indian bowlers.
The tail order also tumbled as Hasan Ali and Nawaz were sent to pavilion for 12 and 4, respectively.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.
Earlier coverage
The wait is over. The play gets under way.
Moments earlier, India won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the high-voltage match.
Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam said they would try to post a big total and gift the nation a victory. He said he would have taken the same decision of bowling first had he won the toss.
Abdullah Shafiq and Imamul Haq have opened the innings for Pakistan.
Pakistan and India are clashing in the blockbuster World Cup game in Ahmedabad. Both Pakistan and India will be out to make a statement against their close rivals when the two undefeated teams meet at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The arch-rivals share a rich cricketing history. While Pakistan outright dominates India head-to-head in the ODI format, with 73 wins to their name as compared to 56 losses, India have an enviable record in the Cricket world cup.
Ever since their first-ever World Cup encounter in 1992, India haven’t lost a single World Cup game against them.
Plenty of fanfare as people gather on the Pakistan team's route to the stadium ️#INDvPAK | #DattKePakistani | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/FhY9W1xZWp
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2023The stakes have climbed even higher in the much-anticipated group stage match between India and Pakistan after both teams surged through their opening two matches of the tournament.
Babar Azam’s side made light work of the Netherlands to kickstart their own campaign, then impressed with the bat while sealing the highest successful chase ever in cricket world cup.
Also Read: No pressure on team, will give our best: Babar
The usually-reliable Babar and Imamul Haq have both missed out so far at the tournament and will be keen to make an impact against India, but Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan have already shown strong form with centuries against Sri Lanka.
India impressed in their first outing at the event as their spinners tore through the Australia batting line-up that was ultimately skittled for a paltry 199 runs.
The hosts had to overcome an early scare at the hands of the Australia pacers, but then cruised to the target after Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) took control of the contest.
India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 273 with eight wickets and 15 overs to spare in their next match, but can expect a tougher test against Pakistan.
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The rivals have only completed one ODI match since the Cricket World Cup 2019, at the Asia Cup last month when centuries to Kohli and Rahul led India to an emphatic 228-run victory.
Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.