 "India kick off World Cup with easy win over Pakistan")
India continued their dominance over Pakistan in the World Cup with a comfortable 76-run win over the arch rivals in their opening encounter of the 2015 edition in Adelaide on Sunday. Chasing 301 on a lively Adelaide Oval track, Pakistan folded up for 224 in 47 overs. Mohammed Shami led the way for India with the ball, picking up an impressive 4 for 35. Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma picked up two wickets apiece.
Ahmed Shehzad and Haris Sohail steadied Pakistan’s ship after the early loss of Younus Khan, putting on 68 for the second wicket. But Pakistan lost their way after Sohail was dismissed by Ashwin with a classic off-spinner that spun sharply and took the edge of the young left-hander’s blade. Suresh Raina did the needful at first slip. Soon after that, Yadav struck twice in one over, removing Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood. Umar Akmal was next to follow, getting a thin edge off Ravindra Jadeja that was gleefully accepted by Dhoni behind the stumps. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq waged a lone battle for the Pakistanis, scoring a valiant 84-ball 76.
Earlier, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first. Virat Kohli’s 22nd one-day international hundred and half centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Raina propelled India to a more than competitive 300. Kohli’s knock of 107 off 126 balls was the first hundred by an Indian against Pakistan in a World Cup match. Kohli was ably assisted by Dhawan, who looked well on his way to a gutsy hundred before his stint at the crease was cut short by an unfortunate run out.
For Pakistan, 30-year-old Sohail Khan picked up his first five-for in limited overs cricket, ending with figures of 5 for 55. This is India’s sixth consecutive win over Pakistan in the World Cup. The men in blue next play South Africa in Melbourne on Sunday.
Ahmed Shehzad and Haris Sohail steadied Pakistan’s ship after the early loss of Younus Khan, putting on 68 for the second wicket. But Pakistan lost their way after Sohail was dismissed by Ashwin with a classic off-spinner that spun sharply and took the edge of the young left-hander’s blade. Suresh Raina did the needful at first slip. Soon after that, Yadav struck twice in one over, removing Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood. Umar Akmal was next to follow, getting a thin edge off Ravindra Jadeja that was gleefully accepted by Dhoni behind the stumps. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq waged a lone battle for the Pakistanis, scoring a valiant 84-ball 76.
Earlier, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first. Virat Kohli’s 22nd one-day international hundred and half centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Raina propelled India to a more than competitive 300. Kohli’s knock of 107 off 126 balls was the first hundred by an Indian against Pakistan in a World Cup match. Kohli was ably assisted by Dhawan, who looked well on his way to a gutsy hundred before his stint at the crease was cut short by an unfortunate run out.
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Raina came in after Dhawan’s dismissal and gave India the impetus they needed, blazing his way to 56-ball 74. His knock was studded with five boundaries and three sixes. India looked set for a total in excess of 320, but Pakistan pulled things back at them death, giving away just 27 runs in the last five overs. Dhoni, Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane all failed to add quick runs towards the end.
For Pakistan, 30-year-old Sohail Khan picked up his first five-for in limited overs cricket, ending with figures of 5 for 55. This is India’s sixth consecutive win over Pakistan in the World Cup. The men in blue next play South Africa in Melbourne on Sunday.