Rohit Sharma Delivers Another Polished Century
Bdbusinessdaily.com – India secured their seventh consecutive World Cup victory with a commanding 89-run win against Pakistan in a group stage clash in Manchester on Sunday. The result marked a significant milestone, solidifying India’s dominance in the tournament. Pakistan, who have struggled against India in previous encounters, faced an uphill battle given their six losses and zero wins in World Cup history against the Men in Blue.
First Innings: A Steady Start
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India set a formidable total. KL Rahul, promoted to open the innings due to Shikhar Dhawan’s injury, partnered with the new opener to build a strong foundation. Their 136-run stand laid the groundwork for the team’s success. However, Wahab Riaz’s breakthrough with Rahul’s dismissal at 57 off 78 balls shifted momentum, bringing Virat Kohli to the crease.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma then forged a powerful 98-run partnership, with Sharma hitting a blistering 140 off just 113 deliveries. The right-handed opener’s innings was a display of precision, though it ended abruptly when he attempted a scoop against Hasan Ali’s slower ball. The ball lacked pace, and Riaz took the catch at short fine leg to end the stand.
Sharma’s century, featuring 14 boundaries and three sixes, was hailed as a masterclass. It not only earned him the man-of-the-match award but also propelled India to a total of 336/5. Despite a late collapse, the 32-year-old’s performance was instrumental in securing the win.
Second Innings: Pakistan’s Collapse
Pakistan’s chase began with a promising start, as Imam-ul-Haq fell early to Vijay Shankar. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam then took charge, showcasing aggressive intent. However, the collapse accelerated as Azam was dismissed for 48, followed by four quick wickets.
Zaman’s attempt to sweep Kuldeep Yadav led to a top edge caught by Yuzvendra Chahal. Hafeez’s flick to deep-square leg and Shoaib Malik’s dismissal by Hardik Pandya for a golden duck further dented Pakistan’s hopes. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain, ended the innings with a score of nine, as the team plummeted from 117/1 to 165/6 before the rain intervention.
Match Outcome and Impact
The rain shortened the match to 40 overs, applying the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to set Pakistan a revised target of 302. The challenge of scoring 136 off 30 balls proved too steep, as Pakistan managed only 212/6 in their allotted overs. The result left India unbeaten with seven points from four games, climbing to third in the standings.
Pakistan, now with just three points from five matches, remains at the ninth position. Their path to the semis now hinges on securing all remaining games. Despite the loss, Mohammad Amir’s bowling was a bright spot, as he claimed 13 wickets—tied with Mitchell Starc of Australia—on the day.
Key Highlights
Rohit Sharma’s 319 runs place him second in the World Cup’s top scorers, just behind Aaron Finch. Finch, who has played one more match, leads with 343 runs. Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir stood out in the bowling charts, while Pat Cummins of Australia remains the top wicket-taker with 11.
Points Table Update
India’s tally of seven points from four games maintains their perfect record, placing them third. Australia and New Zealand, with eight and seven points respectively, remain ahead. Pakistan, trailing at ninth with three points, must now focus on securing victories to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
