Following India's comprehensive victory over Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, former Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar voiced his belief that India might recreate their 2011 World Cup success. With this recent triumph, India has firmly placed itself as a top contender in the World Cup 2023.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India exhibited top-tier cricketing prowess, strengthening their World Cup dominance against Pakistan with an eighth straight win, a legacy that commenced in 1992.
Rohit Sharma's scintillating 86 off 63 deliveries, peppered with six boundaries and an equal number of sixes, was central to India's dominance in the match. Complementing Sharma's performance, Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten half-century ensured India's victory. Iyer stayed not out with a measured 53 runs from 62 balls.
But it wasn't just India's batting that left an indelible mark; their bowling lineup, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, dismantled Pakistan's batting order. Bumrah's economical figures of 2/19 from seven overs and Kuldeep's 2/35 in ten overs were instrumental in bringing down Pakistan from a comfortable 155/2 to a paltry 191 all out.
Securing their third consecutive win, India soared to the top of the World Cup 2023 points table. Reflecting on the match in his YouTube channel, Akhtar expressed his growing conviction about India's potential to clinch the World Cup title, mirroring their 2011 triumph.
"I am beginning to believe India is about to repeat that history of 2011 World Cup. If they don't mess up in the semi-finals, India is really there to win this World Cup. So well done India. You have done wonderfully well. You destroyed us, demoralized us and decimated us," said Akhtar.
He lauded India's commanding performance, stating that they outclassed Pakistan to such an extent it felt like a senior team playing against juniors. He candidly admitted his distress at watching such a one-sided encounter.
"Pakistan's humiliation is in front of us. India beat Pakistan like kids. I couldn't watch it. Rohit Sharma played ruthlessly," Akhtar added.
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