In the lead-up to the high-octane India versus Pakistan clash at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, former India's star batter Gautam Gambhir issued an earnest appeal to Indian fans. As Indian supporters thronged outside the stadium in large numbers in Ahmedabad on October 14, Saturday, there was a noticeable absence of Pakistan cricket enthusiasts at the iconic venue.
Speaking on Star Sports following the toss, Gambhir urged Indian fans to exhibit respect and refrain from disrespectful behavior towards the Pakistan team, emphasising that they are guests in India participating in the ODI World Cup 2023.
"Support your team but don't misbehave with your visitors; after all, they are your guests. We have to remember they are the visitors and here to play the World Cup," urged Gambhir.
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The Narendra Modi Stadium was a sea of blue, primarily due to the overwhelming presence of Indian fans, as Pakistan supporters faced challenges securing visas for the match. In the blockbuster ODI World Cup encounter, India's skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. Rohit dropped Ishan Kishan to bring in star batter Shubman Gill in the Playing XI, who missed the first two matches due to dengue fever.
Rohit Sharma's bowlers bowled out Babar Azam's to just 191 runs. Babar, who notched his first ever ODI fifty against India, remained the top scorer for Pakistan with 50 off 58 balls. Mohammed Siraj dismissed the previous match centurion Abdullah Shafique and Babar while Kuldeep Yadav got rid of Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed in the 33rd over. Bumrah got the important wicket of the in-form Rizwan who failed to read the Indian pacer’s slower one and was bowled. Post that Pakistan batters fell like ninepins handing India an easy-peasy target.
India's playing XI: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan's playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
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