Indian players walk off jubilant after winning their opening match as they try and defend their title, (left), Virat Kohli pats Misbahul haq on the back after the Pakistan skipper made a valiant 76 (right). PHOTOS: REUTERS
India beat Pakistan by 76 runs at the Adelaide Oval in their opening Pool B match to continue their perfect run over their arch-rivals in World Cup games.
The defending champions’ first win was distinguished by Virat Kohli’s 107 from 123 balls that took his team to 300-7.
Shikhar Dhawan (73) and Kohli set the platform for India by adding 129 for the second wicket after Rohit Sharma fell for 15 at 34-1. Kohli then added 110 for the third wicket with Suresh Raina, whose 74 came off just 56 balls and included five fours and three sixes.
In reply, Pakistan began steadily but their early work all came undone in the middle overs. Paceman Umesh Yadav removed opener Ahmed Shehzad for 47 after a juggling catch by Ravindra Jadeja and Sohaib Maqsood was caught at slip for a second-ball duck to make it 102-4.
Umar Akmal was then dubiously adjudged caught behind off Jadeja’s left-arm spin on naught in the following over.
Shahid Afridi was out for 22 after a brilliant running catch by Kohli and Wahab Riaz made four before Yasir Shah (13) added 49 for the eighth wicket with skipper Misbahul Haq. Misbah was Pakistan’s highest scorer and impressed in his knock of 76 but is still searching for a century as he was caught at mid-on to become one of Muhammad Shami’s four victims.
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Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
Dhoni hoped Sunday’s World Cup win over Pakistan will serve as a “benchmark” for his team. “This was a complete game and should serve as a benchmark for the rest of the tournament,” said Dhoni. “We will play tougher sides in the tournament where we will need to replicate this performance.”
Dhoni, however, declined to read too much into India’s perfect 6-0 tournament record against Pakistan and reminded reporters of their rivals’ superior overall one-day record, which stands at 72-51. “This World Cup record is good and we are proud of it,” he said. But a time will come when we will lose to them. This record won’t stay for the rest of our lives. We should not forget that Pakistan have a better overall record than us. They are a fantastic side and it is never easy to beat them.”
While the wicketkeeper admitted that the tie holds a special significance for all Pakistan and India players, he also urged his side to not rest on their laurels and instead want them to kick on from here.
“It certainly is not a normal game when India and Pakistan play. It is emotionally draining for everyone. But we can’t afford to rest on one win. There is a lot of room for improvement.”
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Misbah, meanwhile, wanted the players to forget the embarrassing record and look ahead to their remaining games. “I don’t know what happened,” said Misbah. “But it is important to forget this loss and look to the future. The game is gone now, so we have to just concentrate on the next one.”
The losing captain also reserved praise for the Indian performance with both bat and ball. “One must praise India because it was a thoroughly professional performance by them,” he said. “They batted well and they really bowled well. Full credit to them.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2015.
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