AHMEDABAD -UNS: A special innings from skipper Rohit Sharma and disciplined bowling performance helped India to secure a dominant win of 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 of the small total, Shreyas Iyer led the campaign and ensured India’s victory with runs knock.
Earlier, a stunning bowling performance helped India restrict Pakistan to 191 runs. 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.
