India demolished Pakistan as the most eagerly awaited contest of the World Cup so far turned into a one-sided anti-climax in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan had never beaten India in a men’s 50-over World Cup but looked to be laying a platform to challenge the hosts when they reached 155-2 in the cauldron of the world’s largest cricket stadium.
What followed was an implosion. Captain Babar Azam was bowled by Mohammed Siraj for 50 to begin a collapse of eight wickets for 36 runs, Pakistan spiraling to 191 all out. Siraj was one of five Indian bowlers to pick up two wickets.
The target seemed unlikely to trouble the powerful India batting line-up. Though Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were both out for 16, home skipper Rohit Sharma batted magnificently for an 86, putting the result beyond doubt.
Rohit shared 77 for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer, who ended on 53 not out as victory was sealed with almost 20 overs to spare.
For India, an eighth successive defeat of Pakistan in World Cups, a run that stretches back to 1992, is their third win in three games in this year’s tournament. They join New Zealand at the top of the group table and next meet Afghanistan on Thursday.
Pakistan lost for the first time at this World Cup, but that disappointment will be nothing in the context of such a meek performance against their fiercest rivals. They move on to play Australia in Bengaluru on Friday. (BBC)
