| ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Old Trafford |
| India 336-5 (50 overs): Rohit 140, Kohli 77, Amir 3-47 |
| Pakistan 212-6 (40 overs): Fakhar 62, Babar 48, Shankar 2-22 |
| India won by 89 runs (DLS method) |
India continued their World Cup dominance and increases their unbeaten record to 7-0 over rivals Pakistan with a rain-affected 89-run victory as the highly anticipated match ended as a one-sided at Old Trafford.
How it Happened?
Pakistan Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed won the important toss and put India to bat first as conditions looked favorable for seam bowling. Indian openers Rahul & Rohit started well and looked comfortable against the Pakistans bowling attack. Pakistan fielders blew up three clear runout chances, as their poor fielding and bowling helped Indian batsman to post a mamth total of 336-5, led by Rohit Sharma’s fine 140 and 77 from Virat Kohli.
Pakistan, chasing 337, collapsed to 166-6 before a rain delay saw their target revised to another 136 runs required from 30 balls – a near-impossible task. ICC should look for new alternative methods to DLS. It’s hard for fans to understand why Pakistan target becomes 136 runs from 30 balls.
Only Mohammad Amir (3-47) impressed with the ball for Pakistan and their run-chase crumbled in front of a vociferous crowd, before the rain delay added further confusion.
This was the marquee game of this World Cup – a sell-out crowd, one billion TV viewers, which is way more than Super Bowl, UEFA Champions League final, but it ended with Pakistan playing in front of a half-empty stadium.
The play looked to be done when rain arrived, but it resumed 55 minutes later and with 15 minutes to go before the scheduled cut-off time.
India’s batting lit up the morning but, with rain falling and Pakistan’s innings crumbling, it was a tame end to a match that promised plenty.
Hardik Pandya took two wickets in two balls and Vijay Shankhar impressed on his World Cup debut, but there will be a concern for India over the fitness of seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who will not be available for Next three matches with a hamstring injury.
Up coming Matches
Pakistan, who are ninth having won just one group game, face South Africa on 23 June, while India plays Afghanistan on Saturday.
Twitter Buzz
Indian players shared their Happiness on Twitter after thumping win against their arch-rivals. Few of them for you…
Indian Political leaders look Happy after their side comfortable win against Pakistan.
Ex-Cricketers and Celebrities also shared their joy over twitter
