"Pakistan have themselves to blame."
India punished Pakistan’s batting capitulation to thrash them by seven wickets and with 117 balls remaining.
The highly anticipated World Cup match occurred at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in front of over 130,000 raucous fans.
Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq opened for Pakistan, and things started steadily.
Pakistan continued to score runs and they looked calm.
But the breakthrough came in the eighth over when Shafique went out courtesy of lbw by Mohammed Siraj, sending the crowd berserk.
Babar Azam took to the crease while Hardik Pandya came into the attack for India.
Pakistan soon reached 50, which was met with silence.
In the 12th over, Imam-ul-Haq hits a loose drive and he nicks it behind to KL Rahul, who takes a good catch going to his left.
Despite the wicket loss, Pakistan remained composed and reached 150-2, with Azam enjoying a good innings and he soon reached his half-century.
The decibel levels went through the roof as Siraj removed Azam.
The India fans had just given Babar Azam a decent round of applause for his fifty. However, they were not quiet in celebrating his wicket.
The dismissal of Pakistan’s captain appeared to have thrown off the men in green as they began dropping wickets, putting India in control of the tie.
In just 11 balls, India took three wickets.
At the 35th over, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Shadab Khan, leaving Pakistan 171-7.
Pakistan’s decline in performance continued Hasan Ali hit a shot straight up in the air off Ravindra Jadeja’s ball and Shubman Gill claimed a comfortable catch.
Shaheen Shah Afridi attempted to reverse sweep Ravindra Jadeja and is struck on the pad.
There’s an appeal for lbw but it’s given not out.
Shortly after, it was curtains for Haris Rauf as eight wickets went in just 36 runs.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said:
“There is no logic behind it because it is just careless, causal batting. The focus was off.
“This is such a good batting trip and to be bowled out for 191 and lose 8-36, very few teams can do that. Pakistan have themselves to blame.”
Pakistan’s capitulation left India with a target of 192 runs.
It was India’s turn to bat and Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma opened things.
India got off to a good start, with Gill and Sharma putting on a classy display.
Gill hit four boundaries but he slashed the ball to Shadab Khan and India was 23-1.
After the silence that greeted the wicket, the Ahmedabad crowd were up again to welcome Virat Kohli to the crease.
The wicket did not stem the flow of runs and India reached 38-1 by the fifth over.
But the crowd went silent when Virat Kohli’s mistimed shot loops gently into Muhammad Nawaz’s hands.
Despite the wicket loss, Sharma was putting on an impressive batting display and he swiftly reached 50.
He continued his fine form and put his side in total control of the tie. However, his innings came to an end in the 21st over when his shot was caught by Iftikhar Ahmed.
Sharma’s innings ended at 86.
India remained in control of the match as KL Rahul took to the crease.
By the 27th over, India needed 20 runs to secure the win.
India cruised towards the finish line as a couple of singles were hit off Mohammad Nawaz’s seventh over.
It was so comfortable that a section of the crowd was more interested in trying to get a paper aeroplane to reach the outfield.
India’s emphatic victory came after Rahul hit a four, causing the crowd to erupt in celebration.
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