In a highly-anticipated clash in the ODI World Cup, Pakistan found themselves of no match to Team India as Rohit Sharma annihilated Babar Azam's men by seven wickets at the Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi stadium on Saturday, October 15.
India easily chased down the lowly 192-run target set by Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Team Director Mickey Arthur, who issued a controversial statement after the conclusion of the India versus Pakistan's match, shot another remark and said that Pakistan will meet India in the ODI World Cup final.
Mickey Arthur in the post match press conference said, “This Indian team is a very, very good cricket team. I think they're very well led by Rahul and Rohit. I think they look good. I think they've got all bases covered, and I'm looking forward to meeting them in the final again”.
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Talking about the match, India won the toss and opted bowl first against Pakistan. Pakistan looked good initially with skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan holding the fort after losing Abdullah Shafique and Iman ul Haq. But just when Pakistan looked steady at 155/2 their fortunes took a dramatic turn as Indian bowlers triggered a batting collapse that saw Pakistan's last eight wickets fall for just 36 runs, reducing them to a total of 191 all out.
In response, Shubman Gill, making his debut appearance in the ODI World Cup, along with hitman Rohit gave India a cracking start. Shubman in his 16-run knock, played some scintillating shots before losing his wicket. His aggression was evident as he struck three consecutive fours off Hasan Ali in the second over of India's innings. Although Shubman's dismissal provided a brief glimmer of hope for Pakistan, Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma, and the two continued to assert their dominance. Rohit followed his blistering 131-run knock with a stunning innings to cruise India on the path of victory.
While Kohli contributed with strong shots before being caught off Hasan Ali's bowling during the powerplay. Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer then took charge of the chase. While Rohit cracked 86 off 63, Shreyas scored an impressive 53 off 62 balls to ensure India get past the lowly target without breaking a sweat.
Earlier, in an outlandish remark, Arthur said the high-octane clash between India vs Pakistan didn't seem like an ICC event but looked like a BCCI event or a bilateral series in India.
"Look, I'd be lying if I said... It didn't seem like an ICC event, tonight, to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series; it seemed like a BCCI event. I didn't hear Dil Dil Pakistan coming through the microphones too often tonight," Mickey Arthur said.
"So yes, that does play a role, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse because for us, it was about living the moment, it was about the next ball and it was about how we were going to combat the Indian, the Indian players tonight," he added.
When pressed if such an atmosphere was right for the World Cup and whether it should have been allowed to happen, Arthur ducked the bouncer.
"Look I don't think I can't comment on that just yet. I don't want to get fined," Arthur concluded.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs PAK: Virender Sehwag describes Babar Azam-led Pakistan's demolition against India as 'Big Boys vs School Kids'
IND vs PAK: 'Wonder why Pakistan lost at home vs ENG and AUS' — Wasim Jaffer's savage reply to Mickey Arthur's outlandish remark
IND vs PAK: Wasim Akram rips Babar Azam over Virat Kohli jersey gift after Pakistan's demoralising defeat against arch-rivals India; video goes viral
Watch: Rohit Sharma reacts to 'Rohit-Rohit' chants after leaving Narendra Modi Stadium, BCCI shares video capturing ‘raw emotions’
