Many expected this to happen, but still they believed that Pakistani batsmen will play responsibly and win over their crucial match with India and go straight for the semis with Australia.
But this was not to be so.
Pakistan winning the toss elected to bat and were in such a hurry to let the Indian play their innings that they did not take long to vacate the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo for the Indians to come in and win the match.
Except for Shoaib Malik and Umer Akmal who crossed twenties, none other crossed 15 and the whole team was back with 128 runs. When everything looked bleak, everyone looked up to Umer Gul to repeat his perevious performance of 32 against South Africa, but bowlers don't click everyday and he was back with 12.
Indians, though lost their first wicket of Gambhir at the hands of young inexperienced Raza Hassan in his very second ball (c/b Raza), were composed and lost only one more wicket at the hands of Afridi when Sehwag was out at 29. Thereafter, they cruised comfortably to reach the target with 18 balls remaining and wickets in hand.
Kohli sparked with his 78 not out and Yuvraj with 19 still on the crease when India won the match. Unlike Pakistani batsmen who looked gittery to score, the Indian played a very calculated and composed game and won while playing a very relaxing game.
Now both Pakistan and India have a chance with a narrow NRR. Pakistan's NRR at this stage is -0.43 while India's is -0.45. Pakistan will have to beat an aggressive Australia, while India will have to ease over a rather docile South Africa. Who does it will matter - we shall have to wait and see who.
0 comments:
Post a Comment