India continued their dominance over Pakistan in World Cup by registering a 89-run win (D/L method) in a rain-hit match in the ICC World Cup-2019 encounter played at Old Trafford.

Winning the toss and put into bat by Pakistan, India got off to a rollicking start with Rohit Sharma (140, 113b, 14×4, 3×6) and Lokesh Rahul  (57, 78b, 3×4, 2×6) adding 136-runs for the opening wicket, negotiating the Pakistan quickies with great zeal and authority. The partnership set up a good platform for skipper Virat Kohli 77 (65b, 7×4) to add 98-runs for the second wicket, after the fall of Lokesh Rahul.

Hardik Pandya (26, 19b, 2×4, 1×6) chipped in with some useful runs and India ended up scoring 336 for five in 50 overs. Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Amir (3 for 47) was impressive. Pakistan came back in the fag end of the Indian innings and bowled well to restrict India.

After a brief stop for rain, play resumed in the fag end of the Indian innings. Pakistan were set a big total to register a win.

India began well with debutant Vijay Shankar claiming the wicket of opener Imam-ul-Haq (7) off his first ball and Pakistan were struggling at 13 for one.

The second wicket duo of Fakhar Zaman (62, 75b, 7×4, 1×6) and Babar Azam 48 (57b, 3×4, 1×6) batted well and negotiated the Indian bowlers well to add a vital 104-runs for the second wicket. Babar Azam was dismissed (117 for 2) and later Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The Indian spinners led by Kuldeep Yadav and Chahal bowled well to keep the Pakistan batsman under control and the required rate kept creeping up from seven to ten per over. Hafeez (9), skipper Sarfraz (12) and Shoaib Malik (0) departed in succession and Pakistan were in trouble at 165 for six.

Rain halted the proceedings when the score read at 166 for six in 35 overs. Play resumed after the halt, and in the revised target (302 – D/L in 40 overs – 136 runs to get in 30 balls), Pakistan ended up scoring 212 for six in 40 overs. Imad Wasim (45 n.o.) and Shadab Khan (20 n.o.) were at the crease unbeaten for Pakistan. India won by 89-runs.

With this win, India is in the third place in the points table with seven points from four games. Australia leads the table with eight points from five games, while New Zealand is in the second place with seven points from four games. Hosts England is in the fourth place with six points.

Rohit Sharma was chosen as the Player of the Match.