India beat Pakistan by 89 runs at World Cup

Monday, 17 June 2019 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - India v Pakistan - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - 16 June India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates his century with Virat Kohli - Action Images via Reuters

MANCHESTER: India defeated Pakistan by 89 runs at the World Cup at Old Trafford on Sunday, boosting their chances of a semi-final spot while pushing their Asian rivals closer to elimination.

India made 336-5 with Rohit Sharma hitting 140 before Pakistan finished on 212-6 to be well short of a rain-adjusted total.

It was Sharma’s second century in three innings and skipper Virat Kohli made 77 to power India.

Put into bat under a grey sky, India got off to a strong start with Lokesh Rahul, replacing injured Shikhar Dhawan at the top, and Rohit forging a 136-run stand for the opening wicket.

Rohit made 140 off 113 balls and raised 98 runs with Kohli but Mohammad Amir's tight bowling at the death overs denied India a 350-plus total.

Amir was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers claiming 3-47.

Kuldeep Yadav sparked a dramatic Pakistan collapse as India remained on course to extend their unbeaten World Cup record against their bitter rivals on Sunday.

The left-arm spinner struck twice in quick succession as Pakistan, who had been 117 for one, lost four wickets for 12 runs in 18 balls at Old Trafford to dent their bid to reach a target of 337.

After 30 overs, Pakistan -- who have lost all six of their previous World Cup matches against India -- were struggling at 140 for five.

The most any side have made batting second to win a World Cup match is Ireland's 329 for seven against England at Bangalore in 2011. Pakistan lost their first wicket in bizarre fashion.

India paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar limped off four balls into the fifth over with a hamstring injury that a team spokesman said had ruled him out of the rest of the match.

But World Cup debutant Vijay Shankar, brought on to complete the over, struck first ball when he had Imam-ul-Haq lbw for seven to leave Pakistan 13 for one. Fakhar Zaman (62) and Babar Azam (48) repaired the damage, but both fell in quick succession to Yadav after they had just started to up the tempo.

Babar was bowled by a superb delivery that turned between bat and pad before left-handed opener Fakhar carelessly miscued a sweep off Yadav to short fine leg.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya then took two wickets in two balls, Mohammad Hafeez caught at deep square leg before Shoaib Malik played on for his second successive duck – a wicket greeted with huge roars by the massed ranks of India fans in a capacity crowd. Imad Wasim survived the hat-trick ball at the start of paceman Pandya's next over.