(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) The crucial and most anticipating game of cricket was played at Old Trafford ground in Manchester. The game of cricket between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan which was being watched by almost a billion people via television and around 24000 people inside the stadium. The ticket application turned up to 5 lakh. What a game of cricket, for which fans wait for four years.
The game started, after the toss won by Pakistan- a big blunder as termed by many experts, Pakistan choose to bowl first. Pitch was undercover as it was raining there for so many hours. Captains and coaches after assessing pitch thought moisture can help blowers and went for the bowl to get earlier wickets. Despite good bowling spell from left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir and Wahab Raiz they failed to get the earlier wicket of Rohit Sharma or KL Rahul who batted up after Shakar's injury. One must give credit to Rohit the way he batted, took his time and batted long to put his team in a better position. Meanwhile, Pakistan got a chance to run out when Rohit was at 46, but Fakhar threw at the wrong side. Pakistani fielders were under severe pressure was obvious. At the end India put a big total on the board, 337 was not an easy job to chase.
Pakistani openers from the start of the game were not looking comfortable and rotation of strike was nowhere. There middle order collapsed and Shoaib Malik failed to get to the ball, with a poor average in England at 13.57. He scored 8 runs in 3 games, and was still being backed by coach and captain, how pathetic! Pakistan team at the end of the day couldn't give India a tough competition. It was a one-sided game. Pak disappointed its fans one more time and it is 0-7 for them in the world cup records. Ironic it is that Pak is way ahead when it comes to overall ODI matches - 131 matches between the two, in which Pakistan have won 73 and India 54 while four produced no results?
At one end Amir was hitting the length quite beautifully and at another end, Hasan Ali was bowling short of the length to that batsman who loves to play pull short. Then how come it would have put the strong batting side under pressure. No wonder Hasan became the most expensive bowler. Now see the strategy, they choose five bowlers including 2 spinners, Imad and Shadab. Imad is not good in turning the ball nor have any sort of specialty except bowling straight. Experts say; when you play with the five main bowlers then you must choose to bat first and then with special bowlers try to defend the total. Nevertheless, India outshined Pakistan in all levels of the play.
Younus Rashid
GDC Boys, Anantnag
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