AHMEDABAD -UNS: A disciplined bowling performance helped India restrict Pakistan to 191 runs in what is being dubbed as jinx-breaking match of the World Cup 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field.
Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-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 in the eighth over. When Imam and Babar tried to built 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.
At this point, Pakistan suffered back to back blows as Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Saud Shakeel could not perform in front of skillful bowling by India bowlers.
The tail order also tumbled as Hasan Ali and Nawaz was 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.
