Despite Mohammad Amir’s maiden over start, Pakistan ran out of gas in the latter part of PowerPlay 1 against India in the high-octane World Cup clash.
The in-form Rohit Sharma continued his massacre, bringing up his second fifty of the tournament eventually; this time, in 34 balls. The initial strokeplay helped India record its best PowerPlay performance in the tournament so far. India was 34 for the loss of one wicket against South Africa in its Cup opener in Southampton. It bettered the record against Australia at the Oval with 41 for no wicket.
World Cup, IND v PAK Live commentary and scores
On Sunday, in Manchester, India finished PowerPlay 1 at 53 for no loss with Rohit unbeaten on 37 off 29 balls. K.L. Rahul — promoted up the order after the thumb injury to Shikhar Dhawan — was smart to leave the tricky deliveries outside off and waited for the loose balls. He held the other end tight.
Amir started on a good length keeping a fourth stump line. But he did not get enough movement as expected. Earlier, he had an unplayable ball that would nip back in to the right-hander; good for India that it is missing.
India brought up its first four in the ninth ball of the innings, albeit by an inside edge off Hasan Ali that flew over Rohit's stumps.
Rohit will be also satisfied that he survived the crucial Amir hour. The Pakistan pacer has troubled him in the past.
In the interim, umpire Bruce Oxenford warned Amir twice as his follow through was ending on the danger zone on the pitch.
India started peaking from the sixth over. Ali conceded 12 runs, courtesy a four and a six off Rohit's blade. The maximum, first of the game, came in the 36th ball (5.6) of the innings. Ali tried to test Rohit with a short ball and the Indian vice-captain retorted with a pull that sailed over the deep mid-wicket.
In the ninth over, Pakistan had a chance to run Rahul out but the throw went to the wrong end. He was later dismissed in the 24th over, after scoring 57 off 78 balls; caught at cover by Babar Azam off Wahab Riaz.
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