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19 March 2024

India thump Pakistan by 8 wickets

Published
By Staff with Agencies

India defeated a disappointing Pakistan side on the Duckworth-Lewis method on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at Edgbaston in Birmingham after a series of rain interruptions resulted in three revised victory targets.

The Indians reached their final target of 102 from 22 overs with 17 balls to spare in bright evening sunshine after dismissing Pakistan for 165 from 39.4 of their allotted 40 overs.

Opening batsman Shikar Dhawan, who scored 114 and 102 not out in the first two group matches, again top-scored for the winners with 48 from 41 deliveries.

The final match in Group B had no bearing on next week's semi-finals as India had already qualified while Pakistan were eliminated after losing their first two matches.

There was still plenty of pride at stake, though, in what was only the third competitive match in England between the two sub-continent rivals. All 24,000 tickets were sold within three hours of going on sale in November.

On the day it was the Indian supporters who were celebrating after Mahendra Singh Dhoni had won the toss and elected to field.

SPIN TWINS

Nasir Jamshed (2) was caught at second slip by Suresh Raina pushing forward to a full delivery from paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, promoted to open in an attempt to bolster the fragile Pakistan top order, and Mohammad Hafeez took the total to 50 from 12 overs before the players went off for a brief rain break.

On their return Hafeez (27) nibbled at the first ball of the 13th over from Kumar and was caught behind by Dhoni, diving to his right.

Akmal then followed for 21 attempting to drive off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He got an inside edge which flew off Dhoni's left thigh to Virat Kohli at leg-slip.

Ashwin was getting significant turn and Dhoni called up a short-leg to add to the pressure when the rain came again and the players left the field for more than 2-1/2 hours with India 70 for three off 19 overs.

After the resumption Ravindra Jadeja struck a blow by bowling Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq for 22.

Misbah had scored 96 not out and 55 in his previous two innings.

Jadeja, who took seven wickets in India's first two matches of the tournament, finished with two for 30 from eight overs and Ashwin snapped up two for 35 from eight overs. The last two batsmen were both run out without scoring.

India's initial target was 168 from 40 overs based on the Duckworth-Lewis method for rain-affected matches. It was reduced to 157 from 36 following another interruption and finally to 102 from 22.

Dhoni told Sky Sports television that India were now the world's top fielding side.

"The whole team is doing very well in all three departments," he said. Kumar was named man-of-the-match after taking two for 19 in eight overs.

INDIA INNINGS

India coasted to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected Champions Trophy Group B clash at Edgbaston on Saturday.

The tournament favourites maintained their unbeaten record and finished top of the group after humbling Pakistan who were bowled out for 165.

Chasing a revised target of 167 in 40 overs, India romped home after two more interruptions for rain.

Shikhar Dhawan led the way with fluent knock of 48 off 41 balls which contained five boundaries while Kohli made sure India crossed the line without any further mishap.

It was the first time Pakistan had a lost to India in the ICC Champions Trophy clash.

Karthik and Kohli scramble for a single as India romp to an eight-wicket victory under the D/L method with 17 balls to spare.

Kohli pulls Riaz around for a boundary to tie the scores.

Karthik hits a classic boundary off Ajmal. India are 96-2 in 18 overs.

India need 12 runs for victory. India are 90-2 in 17 overs.

Kohli hammers a boundary off Ajmal as India race to victory. India are 87-2 in 16 overs.

India are 78-2 in 15 overs needing 24 for victory.

Dhawan falls two short of half century cutting Riaz straight to Jamshed at third man. Ind 78-2.

S Dhawan c Nasir Jamshed b Wahab Riaz 48 (41b 5x4 0x6)

Dhawan slams a couple of boundaries off Riaz, including a streaky edge over the keeper.

India play Ajmal cautiously not being in a hurry to beat the rain and race to victory. India are 69-1 in 14 overs.

India are 67-1 in 13 overs needing 35 for victory.

India are 64-1 in 12 overs chasing a D/L target of 102 in 22 overs.

Play set to resume with India's target being revised to 102 in 22 overs.

Rain has caused another stoppage with India 63-1 in 11.3 overs.

Kohli whips Ajmal with disdain through the covers for a boundary to open his account. Ind 62-1 in 11 overs.

Pakistan get a breakthrough as Sharma chips Ajmal to Misbah. Ind 58-1.

R Sharma c Misbah-ul-Haq b Saeed Ajmal 18 (32b 2x4 0x6)

Hafeez comes into attack after Ajmal completes his unfinished over after the rain interruption. Ind 52-0 in 9 overs.

Play is set to resume shortly with India being set a D/L revised target of 157 off 36 overs.

Dhawan is leading the way having cracked three boundaries in his 29 while Rohit is with him on 16 having hit two boundaries.

Rain has caused another interruption in play with India 47-0 in 8.1 overs chasing a D/L target of 168.

Spin introduced with Ajmal coming into the attack.

India have a made solid start making 45 without loss in the Powerplay overs. Ind 45-0 in 8 overs.

Dhawan cracks another boundary off Irfan uppercutting him to third man. Ind 37-0 in 7 overs.

Dhawan survives after giving the charge to Junaid and missing before cracking the next ball to the point fence. Ind 28-0 in 6 overs.

Irfan digs a bouncer which is hooked to square leg fence by Rohit. Ind 22-0 in 5 overs.

Rohit drives Irfan through the covers with superb timing for his first boundary.

Dhawan cracks a boundary off Junaid through point. Ind 13-0 in 4 overs.

A good over by Irfan conceding just two runs. Ind 7-0 in 3 overs.

Rohit survives a confident appeal for leg before off Junaid Khan's first ball. Ind 5-0 in 2 overs.

India begin their run chase picking up four runs in the first over from Irfan with Dhawan and Rohit opening the innings. Ind 4-0 in 1 over.

Since Duckworth/Lewis is in operation because of rain delays, India's revised target is 168 in 40 overs.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

Pakistan tumbled to 165 all out from 39.4 overs in their rain-interrupted Champions Trophy Group B match against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday.

The final match in the group was reduced to 40 overs a side after a lengthy rain break.

India, who had already qualified for next week's semi-finals along with South Africa from Group B, were set a victory target of 168 on the Duckworth-Lewis method for rain-affected matches.

Left-armer Ravindra Jadeja, who took seven wickets in India's first two matches of the tournament, captured two for 30 from his eight overs and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took two for 35, also from eight.

India enjoyed early success after their captain MS Dhoni had won the toss when Nasir Jamshed (2) was caught at second slip by Suresh Raina pushing forward to a full delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, promoted to open in an attempt to bolster the fragile Pakistan top order, and Mohammad Hafeez took the total to 50 from 12 overs before the players went off for a brief rain break.

On their return, Hafeez (27) nibbled at the first ball of the 13th over from Kumar and was caught behind by Dhoni, diving to his right.

Akmal followed shortly afterwards for 21 attempting to drive Aswhin. He got an inside edge which flew off Dhoni's left thigh to Virat Kholi at leg-slip.

Ashwin was getting significant turn and Dhoni called up a short-leg to add to the pressure when the rain came again and the players left the field for more than 2-1/2 hours with India 70 for three off 19 overs

After the resumption, Jadeja struck a critical blow by bowling Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq for 22. Misbah had scored 96 not out and 55 in his previous two innings.

Shoaib Malik was lbw to Jadeja for 17 and Ashwin bowled Wahab Riaz for a second-ball duck. There were also two run-outs as Pakistan failed to bat out their overs.

Umar Amin is unbeaten on a run-a-ball 27 having hit three boundaries as Pakistan are bowled inside 40 overs with two balls remaining.

Put into bat, Pakistan struggled from the beginning under overcast conditions after the in-form Jamshed fell in the third over.

Hafeez (21) and Akmal (27) staged a recovery of sorts with a stand of 46 for the second wicket before falling in quick succession.

Pakistan's innings was punctuated by two breaks because of rain.

Misbah (22) held the innings together before being bowled by a beauty from Jadeja who claimed two for 30.

Shafiq top-scored with 41 before Dhoni held a brilliant catch off Sharma.

His dismissal in the 32nd over triggered a Pakistan collapse which saw them lose their last six wickets for 34 runs.

Kumar who bowled unchanged had the best figures of 8-2-19-2 while Sharma and Ashwin also claimed two wickets apiece.

Last man Irfan is run out after his shot hits the stumps at the non-striker's end as Pakistan put into bat are all out for 165 in 39-4 overs.

Mohammad Irfan run out 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan crash to 159-9 as Junaid Khan is run out by a direct hit from Kohli.

Junaid Khan run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Ajmal perishes scooping a catch to Rohit off Sharma. Pak 159-8.

S Ajmal c R Sharma b I Sharma 5 (16b 0x4 0x6)

Amin lofts Jadeja back over his head for a boundary. Pak 156-7 in 37 overs.

Amin cracks a boundary off Sharma. Pak 149-7 in 36 overs.

Jadeja bowls a maiden over having figures of 7-1-23-2. Pak 141-7 in 35 overs.

Pakistan are collapsing in a heap as Ashwin strikes to bowl Riaz. Pak 140-7.

Wahab Riaz b Ashwin 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Jadeja strikes again trapping Malik leg before with Pakistan being unsuccessful with with the decision review. Pak 139-6.

S Malik lbw b Jadeja 17 (23b 2x4 0x6)

India are successful with a decision review after Shafiq was given not out off an inside edge off Sharma to be caught behind. Pak 131-5.

Asad Shafiq c Dhoni b I Sharma 41 (57b 3x4 0x6)

Malik takes on Sharma slapping his to the point boundary. Pak 126-4 in 30 overs.

Jadeja bowls a tight over conceding just a single. Pak 119-4 in 29 overs.

Malik hits a boundary slamming Kohli to midwicket. Pak 118-4 in 28 overs.

Jadeja strikes bowling the in-form Misbah with a beauty. Pak 102-4.

Misbah-ul-Haq b Jadeja 22 (33b 1x4 0x6)

Shafiq cracks consecutive boundaries off Jadeja to bring up the half century partnership in 67 balls.

The Indian spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja are keeping the Pakistan pair under wraps. Pak 101-3 in 26 overs.

Another tight over by Jadeja. Pak 97-3 in 25 overs.

All-spin attack now with Jadeja being introduced. Pak 91-3 in 23 overs.

Kohli has come into the attack. Pak 81-3 in 21 overs.

Misbah hits the first boundary after the rain break reverse sweeping Ashwin. Pak 77-3 in 20 overs.

It will now be a 40-over game because nearly 20 overs has been lost due to rain.

Play is expected to resume in less than half an hour if there is no further rain.

The covers have come off after the second inspection by match officials raising prospects of play resuming soon.

Another inspection is due but the outlook is bleak because areas of the outfield are wet.

The covers have not come off despite an inspection by the match umpires because still there is a slight drizzle.

It's raining heavily at Birmingham and predictions this could be a lengthy interruption.

Play has been suspended for the second time because of rain. Pak 70-3 in 19 overs.

Shafiq gets his first boundary slamming Yadav to midwicket.

Ashwin bowls a tight over conceding just two runs. Pak 66-3 in 18 overs.

Misbah ul Haq has come into the middle as Pakistan face another crisis situation. Pak 64-3 in 17 overs.

Yadav back into the attack replacing Kumar.

Pakistan are struggling at 61-3 after 16 overs.

Pakistan are tottering as Ashwin strikes getting an inside edge off Kamran which loops to Kohli. Pak 56-3.

Kamran Akmal c Kohli b Ashwin 21 (38b 2x4 0x6)

Kohli hangs onto the chance at leg slip as the ball ricocheted off Dhoni's thigh as Kamran attempts a wild slog.

Kumar continues to bowl unchanged and concedes just two runs. Pak 56-2 in 15 overs.

Spin introduced for the first time as Ashwin comes into the attack and gets turn immediately. Pak 54-2 in 14 overs.

Kumar has superb figures of 7-2-17-2 so far. Pak 51-2 in 13 overs.

Kumar strikes with the first delivery after the break as Dhoni takes a brilliant one-handed diving catch off Hafeez. Pak 50-2.

M Hafeez c Dhoni b Kumar 27 (31b 5x4 0x6)


Play resumes after a 15-minute break.

The good news is that the covers are coming off and play is to resume shortly.

Pakistan have recovered after the early loss of Jamshed with Kamran (20) and Hafeez (27) putting on 46 runs for the second wicket when play was suspended because of a persistent drizzle which becomes heavy. Pak 50-1 in 12 overs.

Kamran survives lofting Kumar just wide of Karthik in an eventful over which saw Hafeez nearly being run out. Pak 47-1 in 11 overs.

Hafeez gets another boundary off Sharma glancing him to fine leg. Pak 43-1 in 10 overs.

Another tight over by Kumar conceding just a single. Pak 36-1 in 9 overs.

Sharma has been hit for a couple of boundaries by Akmal and Hafeez who flicks him round to fine leg. Pak 35-1 in 8 overs.

Akmal gets his second boundary steering Sharma through the covers.

Sharma into the attack now replacing Yadav.

There is a slight drizzle at the moment but play continues. Pak 26-1 in 7 overs.

Kamran also gets into act pulling Kumar to the midwicket fence.

Kumar bowls a second consecutive maiden over as he beat Kamran Akmal. Pak 7-1 in 5 overs.

Yadav bowls a tight over. Pak 7-1 in 4 overs.

It's a wicket maiden over by Kumar who has got a breakthrough for India. Pak 4-1 in 3 overs.

Another poor start by Pakistan with Hafeez coming into another pressure situation and is beaten off the first ball from Kumar.

Kumar draws first blood striking in his second over as Jamshed edges straight to Raina at second slip. Pak 4-1.

N Jamshed c Raina b Kumar 2 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Jamshed is stunned after being adjudged leg before after being rapped just above the knee roll off the first ball from Yadav and is successful with a decision review. Pak 4-0 in 2 overs.

Kamran edges the fourth delivery from Kumar between the slips for a single. Pak 3-0 in 1 over.

Jamshed is off the mark with a single off the first ball.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to open the attack for India.

India have taken the field while Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal open the batting for Pakistan.

The teams walk out for the national anthems.

Sun or rain, there is tension all around as fans await the start of the 'dead' Champions Trophy clash between India and Pakistan.

Misbah called it wrong but does not mind losing the toss because they have the arsenal to defend any total.

Dhoni must be eager to be chasing with rain forecast later in the day.

India have won the toss and put Pakistan into bat in the Group B Champions Trophy match at Edgbaston on Saturday.

India field an unchanged side while Pakistan have brought in Asad Shafiq in place of Imran Farhat.

PLAYING XI

India - S Dhawan, R Sharma, V Kohli, D Karthik, S Raina, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, I Sharma, B Kumar, U Yadav

Pakistan - N Jamshed, K Akmal, M Hafeez, A Shafiq, Umar Amin, Misbah-ul-Haq, S Malik, S Ajmal, W Riaz, J Khan, M Irfan

The sun is peeping through the cloud cover which hangs over Edgbaston with the ICC tweeting with a picture a while ago.

"Edgbaston looks good this morning in the run up to #indvpak!" (@cricketicc)

Former Indian cricket turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has just tweeted some good news for cricket fans around the world.

"In Birmingham for the Ind/Pak game. Sun is out. Here's praying, it stays out." (@sanjaymanjrekar)

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne tweeted less than an hour ago that it is raining heavily in Edgbaston.

"Just stopped to get petrol on way to Edgbaston & it's absolutely bucketing down with rain & freezing, 8 degrees. (warne888)

Despite the threat of rain and the fact that the final Group B Champions Trophy clash between India and Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday is a dead rubber, cricket fans are waiting with bated breath in anticipation of another explosive battle between the two Asian giants.

Thick layers of cloud have been hovering over Birmingham with forecasts suggesting more showers likely which means there will be a complete washout or truncated match.

What was expected to be the marquee battle of the eight-nation tournament – tickets for the match were sold out within hours of going on sale last November – has been reduced to a dead rubber.

Seventy per cent of tickets for the game have gone to the Indian supporters and 15 per cent to Pakistan, while the other 15 per cent has been distributed among neutral fans and the ICC and member board officials who will be present here in good numbers.

Fans stood outside the renovated stadium throughout Friday, concerned with the buzz surrounding the two teams, as players drove into Edgbaston for practice and drove out looking up at the sky, according to Times of India.

These fans have shelled out a good deal of money a month in advance, regardless of what effect the game might have on the tournament, simply because it's India versus Pakistan.

"Kal dekhna, pata chalega India-Pakistan ka kya importance hota hai (Watch out, tomorrow you'll know the importance of an India-Pakistan match)," said Misbah-ul Haq, the Pak skipper, hoping like his Indian counterpart MS Dhoni that a full day of cricket is available for fans.

World Cup champions India are already through to the semi-finals after winning both group B matches so far, while Pakistan have crashed out of the race with two successive defeats.

But sporting contests between the arch-rivals are never irrelevant for players and millions of fans across the globe as heroes turn villains – or vice-versa – depending on the result.

The Pakistanis are treating Saturday's ICC Champions Trophy match against India "like a final."

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq told a packed media press conference on Thursday that the contest against India will be "one last chance to prove ourselves in front of the world."

Misbah said his team "will play for the fans."

"It's a final for us. A win against the world champions will be a great compensation. At least, the fans will be happy," Misbah said after Pakistan trained under overcast conditions and a light drizzle on Friday morning.

The Pakistan captain refused to take the match against India as just another game.

"For us, it's a big opportunity. Everywhere in the world, fans look forward to this game and I would like India and Pakistan to play more often for the sake of the audience. It's the biggest rivalry in cricket," the 39-year-old told reporters.

Indian skipper MS Dhoni in contrast was treating it as just another game.

"Doesn't really matter which side you are playing, because the reason is all international sides are good enough, so no real point taking any added pressure," Dhoni said when asked about the importance of the Saturday game.

Dhoni was perhaps looking beyond this clash after emerging as the tournament favourites with consistent performances against South Africa and West Indies.

"I think the fact that we have consistently scored runs. That's something very important. The fact that we have been able to chase scores, and good scores, against good bowlers on good wickets has been a very pleasing aspect.

"Our fast bowlers have been very good and they have shown if there's a bit of help for them, they can come back into the game and bowl very well in the middle overs. I'm very happy.

"We are not known for our fielding standards, but I think right now we are the best fielding side. You can compare us to any team and most of our fielders are good while the rest are above average."

The beleaguered Indian team rocked by the spot-fixing scandal in IPL are looking to return with their heads high and are not short of motivation.

"Motivation has never been a factor, especially when you're representing a country of about 1.2 billion people and the expectation level is always very high. I think all of them are very motivated. It's just that it's important to enjoy the game," said Dhoni.

Misbah said there was no pressure on the team and the boys were in a relaxed frame of mind.

"We know we are out of the tournament, but I have told the boys to look at every game as their last chance to prove themselves. We will express ourselves well tomorrow," Misbah promised.

The Pakistan skipper said his team will remember the 2-1 ODI win in India last winter.

"The teams are almost the same and our bowlers have the experience and belief to challenge Indian batsmen," Misbah said.

India's batting is on a high, admitted the affable Pakistan skipper.

"When you score 300 runs consistently and win your opening two games of a short tournament quite easily, a team is bound to look good, but tomorrow, we will give them a good fight," he said.

Pakistan have never lost to India in six editions of this championship.

They have beaten India twice in the Champions Trophy, the first time at Edgbaston in September, 2004.

On the other hand, India have never lost a World Cup game in five meetings between the two sides.

But Misbah said history won't matter.

"Every game is a fresh game. The team that will take the conditions in stride, handle fan pressure and play well shall be the clear winner," he explained.

Misbah pointed out Pakistan's bowling will be their biggest strength going into Saturday's match.

"Our top order has failed and we have been unable to build partnerships. We have always felt the pressure while batting but we can surely redeem ourselves against India this time," the captain said.

As India look to smoothen rough edges ahead of the semi-finals, Pakistan will play for pride hoping to build on the 2-1 series success in India in December-January.

“I don't think the Indian team has ever played a dead game,” skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, referring to the huge fan following his side enjoys.

“The match is also important to improve in the areas we want to.”

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore added: “It's an important match. It's certainly not a dead game for us and we will look to give our best.”

Pakistan were let down by poor batting, having been bowled out for 170 by the West Indies and then dismissed for 167 by a depleted South African attack missing frontline strike bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq and Nasir Jamshed were the only batsmen to offer resistance in the two games, which put the hard-working bowlers under additional pressure.

Misbah, who top-scored with an unbeaten 96 and 55 in both matches, conceded the batting failure cost his side dearly.

“There are a lot of positives to take from this tournament,” he said. “We bowled and fielded very well, but the batting has not been good. The batsmen are much better than what they have done here.”

Misbah, whose side was taunted by fans after the loss to South Africa, insisted the team were still very motivated to perform well against India.

“When a team plays the way we have, criticism is bound to come,” he said.

“Supporters are like that. They also praise you when you do well. “We must now play to our potential against India. We should not go back empty-handed.”

India, meanwhile, justified their number one ranking in one-day cricket with two impressive performances against South Africa and the West Indies.

They piled up 331-7 against the Proteas to win by 26 runs on a flat Cardiff pitch, and then restricted the West Indies to 233-9 at the Oval to win by eight wickets.

Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan shone with superb back-to-back centuries, making 114 off 94 balls against South Africa and an unbeaten 102 against the West Indies.

It was the third successive international century for the moustache-twirling 27-year-old from Delhi, who scored a spectacular 187 off 174 balls against Australia on his Test debut in March.

India have also been well-served by Rohit Sharma, who partnered Dhawan for two century stands at the top of the order, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, whose five wickets laid low the West Indies.