India Win the Toss and Bowl First
The greatest cricket rivalry of all time comes to life at Ahmedabad in the ICC Men’s Cricket Worldcup 2023. The host, India, are taking on their arch-rival, Pakistan in the 12th match of ICC Men’s ODI CWC 2023 with outstanding record. The host have a magnificent record against Pakistan in ICC Cricket Worldcups as they fully dominate with 7-0.
India and Pakistan are still unbeaten in the ICC CWC23. India have beaten Australia and Afghanistan. On the other hand, Pakistan’s two win come against Sri Lanka and Netherlands in the tournament. India stand 3rd on the points table of ICC Men’s CWC23 with 1.500 NRR whereas Pakistan stand 4th with 0.927 NRR with 4 points each.
Indian and Pakistani skippers are down to the middle with Ravi Shastri for the coin-battle. Indian Captain wins the toss and choses to bowl first. While Pakistani skipper, too, wants to bowl first on this flat track that isn’t expected to change much.
Pakistan enter in to the competition with same winning combination while India allow Shubman Gill for Ishan Kishan.
The two Pakistani openers: Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique, centurion in the previous game, are opening the innings for Pakistan and eye at setting a handsome total against the favourites. Whereas, Bumrah and Muhammad Siraj get the ball in hand for the first power play to resume and take down the Eagles.
Both openers provide a steady start for Pakistan. Abdullah Shafique looks threatening as he’s undone by a very low bounce from Muhammad Siraj. The ball hits him square on the pads as Richard Illingworth raises his finger quickly. The right-hand batters goes back to the dugout without reviewing after scoring 20 off 24 including 3 boundaries. PAK are 1 down at 41 after 8.
Pakistan’s other left-hand opener – Imam ul Haq – is sent back to the pavilion after scoring 36 off 38 striking at 94.73 and hits 6 boundaries. He’s invited to drive the ball which takes an outside edge and KL Rahul gloves it with perfection. PAK are 2 down after 13 and PAK are at 74 with Babar and Rizwan on the crease.
The 82-runs stand for the 3rd wicket is broken by Muhammad Siraj in the 30th over who picks his second of the day. Babar Azam is beaten by the low-bounce ball and misses it as Siraj cleans bowled him at 155.
Pakistan seem losing the plot here as they lose 4 more quick wickets for only 16 runs. Saud Shakeel is trapped in front of the leg stumps by Kuldip and then in the same over Iftikhar Ahmed’s gloves deviate the ball into the stumps. Well-settled Muhammad Rizwan is also unsettled by Bumrah with his slower off-cutter. Muhammad Shadab doesn’t stay too long at the crease as he misses the straight one from Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan are in deep trouble now after 36. They are 172 for 7 with 14 to go.
Muhammad Rizwan and Babar Azam looks good against spin as well as the pace attack from 21-30. They add 53 more for the loss of Babar’s wicket who goes back to the pavilion after scoring his 29th ODI 50. PAK are 156 for three at the end of 30.
The wickets start tumbling for Pakistan in the next phase of 31-40. Pakistan seem losing the plot here as they lose 4 more quick wickets for only 16 runs. First, Saud Shakeel and then Iftikhar Ahmed go back to the dugout in the same over from Kuldip.
The tale doesn’t last here as well-settled Muhammad Rizwan is also unsettled by Bumrah with his slower off-cutter for his 49 off 69. Next Muhammad Shadab is also undone by Bumrah who picks his 2nd of the evening.
This phase proves a dreadly nightmare for Pakistan as they lose 5 wickets for just 31. The 2nd power play (11-40) is fully dominated by India as they tightening the screws agaisnt Pakistan’s middle order in no time. Pakistan make 138 for the loss of 7 wickets. PAK are 187 for 8 at the end of 40.
Pakistan tail-enders can’t cope with the Indian spin attack as Hassan Ali and then Haris Rauf are the last man to get out by Ravindra Jadeja. PAK are bowled out at 191 in the 43rd over.
