- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for only 36 runs, thanks to some hapless batting.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IT was a less-than fulfilling occasion for millions of cricket fans on a Super Saturday (14) in the ongoing 50-over World Cup 2023 as India hammered arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets in a crucial league game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat.
The Men in Green had a forgettable outing with the bat as they were bowled out for 191 inside 43 overs despite having a good start. Babar Azam’s men were cruising at 155 for 2 at one stage but the dismissal of the captain, who scored the maximum for his team (50) triggered an unbelievable collapse and Pakistan ended up losing their last eight wickets for only 36 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan, hero of Pakistan’s previous match against Sri Lanka in which they registered a record chase, fell on 49.
The Indian bowlers came up with a teamwork with the top five claiming two scalps each. Yet, the best of the lot was spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who picked two for 19 in seven overs and to become the highest wicket-taker (eight) of the tournament so far.
India had little problems in chasing down the target with almost 20 overs to spare. Captain Rohit Sharma, who won the toss and sent Pakistan to bat, continued from where he left in the match against Afghanistan in Delhi and belted 86 runs in just 63 balls.
Shreyas Iyer, who is playing his first World Cup, completed his half century with the winning stroke and remained unbeaten on 53. Shubman Gill, who also made his World Cup debut in the match after missing the games against Australia and Afghanistan due to sickness, fell for 16 after a good start, as did Virat Kohli, who scored half centuries in his previous two outings.
KL Rahul was the other unbeaten batter on 19.
For Pakistan, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 36 runs while the other one went to Hasan Ali.
This was India’s eighth win over Pakistan in as many games in the 50-over World Cup.
The emphatic win saw India going to the top of the points table with six points (same with New Zealand but having a better net run rate).
India next play Bangladesh on October 19 while Pakistan take on Australia, who are yet to win a game, on October 20.
Brief scores: India 192 for 3 in 30.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 86, Shreyas Iyer 53 not out, Shahin Shah Afridi 2 for 36) beat Pakistan 191 all out in 42.5 overs (Babar Azam 50, Mohammad Rizwan 49, Jasprit Bumrah 2 for 19) by 7 wickets
