2019 Cricket World Cup: India preserves its hegemony over Pakistan in World Cups

2019 Cricket World Cup: India preserves its hegemony over Pakistan in World Cups

Under Manchester skies, bright one moment, brooding the next second, India found its sunshine at Old Trafford here on Sunday. In their World Cup clash against Pakistan, Virat Kohli’s men proved they are far too superior with an 89-run triumph.

Rohit Sharma’s masterly 140 (113b, 14x4, 3x6), his second in the current championship, helped India post 336 for five. Though the Indian innings suffered a one hour break when the skies opened up at 1.45 p.m., Kohli’s merry bunch placed at 305 for four in 46.4 overs, cruised upon resumption.

Later, Pakistan scored 166 for six in 35 overs but following another rain-intervention, the target as per the Duckworth-Lewis method was pegged at 302 from 40 overs. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men finished with 212 for six.

During Pakistan’s reply that was delayed by another drizzle, openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman were watchful. India then had a bitter-sweet moment as Bhuvneshwar Kumar retreated to the dressing room with a left hamstring strain. Vijay Shankar stepped into complete the over and with his first ball in a World Cup, struck Imam on his pad and in line with the stumps.