Despite the
showpiece game of the eight-nation event being reduced to a dead rubber, with
India already qualifying to the semi-finals and Pakistan crashing out of the
race to be in the last four, there was no love lost when the Asian giants took
on each other in Edgbaston on friday. And courtesy an impressive all-round
performance from the men in blue, India romped to an 8 wicket victory against
Pakistan. Here is a quick look at the top 5 game changing moments from the
match.
1) Dhoni's decision to bowl first - When
it comes to the tie between the arch-rivals, it is widely considered a safe bet
to win the toss and bat first. Having won the toss, Dhoni stumped many when he
decided to field on a used pitch that was not only dry but was prone to assist
the spinners later on in the match. His logic of doing so was simple, as he
knew that the rain factor will play a role in deciding the outcome of the
match. With Misbah opting to do the opposite had he won the toss, Dhoni's
decision was vindicated in no uncertain terms as the match progressed.
2) Opening burst by Bhuvneshwar Kumar - An
incisive opening burst by Kumar was instrumental in India gaining the early
momentum. Opener Nasir Jamshed, whose previous five innings against India
included three centuries and a half-century, managed only two when he was
snapped in the slips off Kumar, while Hafeez fell on the first ball after resumption
following a rain interruption, edging Kumar to a diving Dhoni behind the
stumps, in a probing spell of two for 19 in 8 overs.
3) Reduction of match to 40 overs a side - Multiple rain stoppages as well as a
near three-hour long delay due to inclement weather, mid-way during the
Pakistan innings was enough to reduce the match to 40 overs per side, resulting
in an obvious disadvantage to Pakistan.
4) Dismal batting performance by Pakistan -
Rain interruptions notwithstanding, it was yet another disheartening performance
from Pakistan's batting unit. With scores of 170 and 167 all out in previous
two matches, much was expected out of this misfiring unit in this crunch game,
but it once again looked totally clueless, crashing to their lowest total in
the tournament without even consuming the full quota of 40 overs. Barring
Jamshed, all other batsman got starts but were unable to capitalise on it as
the side lost wickets at regular intervals and consequently, in absence of any
substantial partnerships, could only muster a paltry total of 165.
5) Solid partnership by Indian openers - Taking
early wickets was the only way Pakistan could have made a match out of this,
but the ominous form of both the Indian openers prevented that as they raced to
58 in 10.4 overs, thereby giving the side a flying start and ensuring that the
team chased the revised target of 102 in 22 overs in a clinical manner.
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