In the high-stakes encounter of the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, Pakistan,batting first after being invited to do so, managed to score only 191 runsbefore getting all out.
The Pakistan team, known as the Green Shirts, aims to break their streak ofmisfortune in this major tournament. Captain Babar Azam was the top scorerfor his team, achieving his first fifty in the tournament.
Only four other batsmen, Mohammad Rizwan, Imamul Haq, and AbdullahShafique, reached double-digit runs. Despite losing their openers, Babarand Rizwan formed a partnership until Mohammad Siraj dismissed Pakistan’scaptain, Babar Azam, after he completed his half-century.
Imamul Haq and Abdullah Shafique began the innings for Pakistan and manageda 41-run partnership before Shafique scored 20 runs in the eighth over butwas dismissed lbw by Mohammad Siraj.
Siraj redeemed himself by taking the wicket of Abdullah Shafique, withBabar Azam stepping onto the field in his place. India’s captain, RohitSharma, won the toss and chose to bowl first in the highly anticipatedWorld Cup match, expected to draw 120,000 fans.
Opening batsman Shubman Gill returned to the team after recovering fromdengue fever and replaced Ishan Kishan, who had missed the first twomatches.
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Rohit expressed the excitement of the moment and the tremendous atmospherein the stadium, which was predominantly filled with Indian fans. India, thefavorites, entered the match undefeated, with victories against Australiaand Afghanistan.
Pakistan, who also won their previous two matches against the Netherlandsand Sri Lanka, stuck with the same team. Babar Azam mentioned that they toowould have preferred to bowl first had they won the toss, given their goodform and confidence.
The stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue, was mainly filled withIndian supporters as Pakistani fans faced challenges securing visas fromacross the border.