In the tense ICC World Cup 2023 match on Saturday, Rohit Sharma’s quickfire 86 and the bowlers’ combined effort propelled India to a commanding seven-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
India won match against Pakistan: India easily scored the winning runs with 117 balls remaining after being asked to chase a modest 192, losing just three wickets in the process.
Despite opening partner Shubman Gill (16) dying cheaply in the third over with only 26 runs scored, Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided his team a strong start.
Then, Virat Kohli and Rohit built established a lopsided 56-run partnership, with Kohli scoring just 16 runs before getting bowled out by Hasan Ali in the 10th over.
As Rohit continued his assault, India did not suffer much from Kohli’s removal and passed the 150-run threshold in 21 overs.
However, he continued to be unlucky in that he was unable to turn his powerful knock into his ninth World Cup tonne, falling in the 22nd over.
India’s top scorer was Rohit Sharma, who made a quick 86 from 63 balls that included six boundaries and the same number of sixes.
After dismissing Rohit, Shreyas Iyer took control of India’s pursuit and partnered with KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten at 19, to forge a match-winning 36-run partnership.
Iyer continued to make a significant contribution to India’s effort with an undefeated 50. His 62-ball 53 included two sixes and three boundaries.
Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets for Pakistan, and Hasan Ali claimed one victim.
“Pakistan’s Rollercoaster Innings at Narendra Modi Stadium”
At one point, Pakistan appeared to be in a solid position to surpass the 300-run threshold; however, a middle-order collapse caused them to bowl out at a paltry score.
At the scenic Narendra Modi Stadium in this city, Pakistan’s openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq made a steady start.
Before former top-ranked pacer Mohammed Siraj trapped Pakistan’s last-match centurion Abdullah Shafique plumb in the eighth over, the pair appeared to be in control.
The right-handed opener, who struck three boundaries, scored 20 runs in 24 deliveries.
Imam-ul-Haq and Pakistani skipper Babar Azam shared a 32-run partnership in the meantime, but Hardik Pandya caught him behind in the 13th over. He used six boundaries to tally a 38-ball 36.
After that, in-form wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan joined Pakistan captain Babar, and the two of them solidified Pakistan’s innings with a brave partnership.
Babar and Rizwan added a crucial 82 runs, and as a result, Rizwan scored his first ODI half-century against India.
Seven boundaries helped him achieve his half-century in just 57 deliveries, breaking a five-match streak without scoring fifty or more runs.
Mohammed Siraj finally cleaned up Babar Azam on the following delivery, which let Pakistan in like a duck.
After dismissing Babar, the green shirts lost their composure and experienced a catastrophic collapse, which claimed Mohammad Rizwan, their other set batter.
He continued to score runs for Pakistan, scoring 49 off 69 deliveries and hitting seven boundaries.
A quick retaliation by Hasan Ali, who scored 12 runs off 19 balls, allowed Pakistan to get bowl out for 191 runs after losing their final seven wickets for just 32 runs.