LAHORE MIRROR — India outclassed Pakistan in all departments of the game as they beat the Green Shirts by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, improving their ICC Men’s World Cup tally against their arch-rivals to 8-0.
Pakistan were routed by seven wickets in a disappointingly one-sided clash. They collapsed from 155-2 to be all out for 191 before India coasted home to their target with 117 balls to spare.
Skipper Rohit Sharma’s 86 and an inspired bowling display helped India hammer Pakistan, who were bowled out for 191.
They overhauled the total with 117 balls to spare to extend their unbeaten streak against their neighbours to eight in the 50-over showpiece tournament.
Rohit stood out in his 63-ball knock laced with six fours and six sixes to keep India, who began the event as favourites to win the title, unbeaten in their three matches in this edition.
Pakistan now have two wins and one defeat in the 10-nation tournament.
“It felt good,” said man of the match, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who had figures of 2-19 off nine overs.
Rohit hit the ball to all parts of the ground with his delightful flicks and pulls to entertain an almost all-Indian crowd at the world´s biggest cricket stadium after Pakistanis were effectively banned from attending.
India lost Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli — both for 16 — before Rohit and Shreyas Iyer, who hit the winning four to reach 53, put on 77 runs for the third wicket and placed India comfortably on course for victory.
Rohit fell attempting another hit off Shaheen Shah Afridi to get caught at mid-wicket, but Iyer and KL Rahul took the team home with ease.
Bowlers set up victory after India elected to field and Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.
Pakistan were bowled out in 42.5 overs, losing eight wickets for 36 runs in 80 balls.
Earlier, India won the toss and put Pakistan to bat in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
The most thrilling match is being played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
“We were looking to field as well. We have had good two wins. Momentum is very high and we want to continue that. Jampacked stadium, we are enjoying our opportunity, and just want to enjoy. We have to be good in the field. We have had good practice sessions. Same team,” said Pakistan team captain Babar Azam.
The countdown is on ⌛
🏟️ Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
🆚 India 🇮🇳
⏰ 1:30 PM PKT#INDvPAK | #DattKePakistani | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/dG5K8ayHu4— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2023
The two arch-rivals are set for a face-off in what is being touted as one of the biggest clashes in the mega cricket tournament with the Babar Azam-led Green Shirts and Rohit Sharma’s Men In Blue aiming to claim victory today.
Squads
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
— Additional input from AFP
