LIVE BLOG - IND vs PAK | Toss, Score, Live Footages From Ahmedabad

Men in Blue have chased 192/3 inside 30.3 overs

Shreyas Iyer dances down the track and smacks the winning runs with the crowd at Ahmedabad standing and applauding the Indian side for their dominating victory against the arch-rivals! Fifty-Three Not-Out for India's #4. 

Nevertheless, a stupendous performance from the Indian camp at their Ahmedabad forte in a front of a full-packed 1.3 Lakh crowd. The day began with a blistering efforts the Indian bowlers led by Jasprit Bumrah, who ended the evening with 2/17 as Pakistan were thrashed out for 191 on a relatively flat track. In the response, Rohit Sharma's 86 and Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten half-century was enough to make 8-nil against Men in Green in ODI World Cups.

Shaheen ends Rohit's sublime innings!

After making a mockery of the Pakistan bowling, Rohit perishes for a brilliantly crafted 86. A successive century was on the cards, but Rohit falls to a slower delivery from Shaheen Afridi. Nonetheless, an innings of a lifetime from the Indian skipper.

Stat attack!

Rohit Sharma becomes the first Indian batter to cross 200 runs in WC 2023!

Arjun: Rohit's batting tonight has been nice, but his captaincy in this clash was far more impressive. I will give him the Player of the Match award for his captaincy only.

Rohit and Pull Shot, a different love affair!

He has dismantled the Pakistan attack with some sublime stroke-making. However, the pull shots he has struck today are a thing of beauty. There is no better sight in world cricket than watching Rohit play the pull shot. 116/2 in 16 overs.

The HITMAN ROARS AGAIN! Fifty for Rohit Sharma!! 

He is looking in great form here and these are not good signs for Pakistan and rest of the teams in this competition. Great signs though for India, the man seems to have picked up from where he left in the 2019 World Cup. He hit five sixes in England four years back during the last 50-over World Cup and is looking set for his second consecutive century here. He has got to his fifty with a gentle push to long on

OH, KING KOHLI DEPARTS!!!!

Absolutely against the run of play this! Very uncharacteristic shot from Virat Kohli and it brings his downfall. Big wicket for Pakistan though and this is exactly what they needed to keep themselves in this game. Pin-drop silence at the Narendra Modi Stadium as their beloved hero has to make a long way back to the pavilion.

It was a short delivery by Hasan Ali and Virat Kohli went for a cross-batted shot, looking to pump it over the in-field. However, he mistimed it completely and hit it off the bottom of his blade straight to mid on where Mohammad Nawaz took an easy catch, bring some much-needed respite in the Pakistan camp.

300 SIXES FOR THE SKIPPER!

FIFTY UP FOR INDIA!

Pakistan need the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. That's the only way they can even trouble India in the run-chase. At the moment, things are too easy peasy for India.

There goes Shubman!

Shaheen Afridi strikes for Pakistan. Short and wide and Gill hammers it straight to the point fielder. He looked in sublime touch and was eager to get a big score here. A disappointing end for Gill. 23/1 after 2.5

Hasan Ali has been welcomed with three boundaries in an over. Shubman Gill is in hurry at his den. 22/0 after 2.0 overs.

We are back for the chase

And Rohit Sharma starts with a boundary. India off to a flyer!!! And first ball after dengue for Shubman Gill, he too begins with a four. 8/0 in 0.3 overs.

That's It!!!!! PAKISTAN HAVE BEEN KNOCKED OVER FOR 191!  

This has been quite a dramatic collapse for Pakistan, they were 155-2 at one point in time and were threatening to score over 300 on a pitch that looks perfect for batting coupled with lightening fast outfield. However, the wicket of Babar Azam triggered a collapse and none of Pakistan batters could show any application in the middle against the quality of Jasprit Bumrah and company.

This looks a straightforward chase for India and with dew expected to come in, the batting might get even easier in the second half. Pakistan now need to make a big impact with the new ball and it is upto Shaheen Afridi to make some early inroads and rattle India's famed top order in this battle of titans.

Let's see how the Indian batters tackle the might of Pakistan pacers in this high-octane clash between two beloved neighbours.

Pakistan collapse!

The Men in Green collapsing like a pack of cards! This has been a shambolic performance to say the least. Nawaz goes full throttle, but finds the fielder at mid-on. Hardik gets the wicket here. Pakistan are even struggling to reach 200. 187/8 in 40 overs.

BOOM does it again!

Pace-on delivery and Shadab Khan's off-peg goes for a dance. Angles into the batter and Shadab misreads the line completely. The ball clips the top of the off stump and Bumrah with the 'aeroplane celebration'. From 155-2 to 171-7 -- this has been demolition done by Men in Blue. 171-7 in 35.2 overs.

A pearler from Bumrah to knock over Rizzy!

This is spectacular from Team India. Pakistan in deep, deep trouble. Off-cutter, deliberately bowls a slower one. The ball nips back in and beats the big bat-pad gap to knock over the stumps. India on top now! 168/6 in 34 overs.

There is no stopping Kuldeep Yadav!

The 2.0 version of Kuldeep is as dangerous as it gets. He gets the big wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed. Not the best of delivery, but India will take it. Iftikhar went for a sweep, but got a glove on it as the ball went onto hit the stumps. The Indian magician has done the trick for his side. 166/5 in 33.1 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav gets his first wicket of the day!

Rohit Sharma was hesitant to take the DRS, but the decision to go for it pays off. Googly from Kuldeep and Saud Shakeel gets copped on the front leg. Three reds in ball-tracking and Shakeel has to walk back. Kuldeep was adamant for a review and Rohit does the right thing.162/4 in 32.2

Siraj gets the big wicket of Babar!

Redemption for Siraj!!! He was taken to the cleaners by Babar and Rizwan, but the Indian seamer has the last laugh. Inside-edge onto the stumps and Babar is dejected. 155/3 in 29.4 overs.

Fifty for Babar Azam!

After repeated failures against India (at-least in ODIs), Babar has answered his critics in some style. His first fifty against the Indian team in ODI cricket. And what a time to score it. 154/2 in 29.3 overs.

Babar survives a close LBW shout!!!

That was too close for comfort for Babar Azam. He missed a sweep against Kuldeep and was trapped on the front leg. India took the review, but it was umpire's call on hitting. India don't lose a review here. Babar needs to be careful with his shot selection. 125/2 in 25 overs.

Babar completes 500 ODI WC Runs!

King of Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam has completed 500 runs in ODI WCs. He had a stellar tournament in 2019, but has so far failed to lit up the World Cup. Could tonight be the day for the Pakistan skipper?

Brothers of destruction are here!

Rizwan and Babar, two of the most reliable batters are at the crease. Babar has looked in ominous touch, and we all know that Rizwan has been in imperious form in the World Cup 2023.

Hardik strikes!!

India get the crucial wicket of Imam! This was a much needed breakthrough provided by Hardik Pandya. A stellar catch from KL Rahul behind the stumps and Pakistan are 2 down.

Siraj draws the first blood!

Just when we were cursing Siraj, he delivers the goods for his side. A lovely nip-backer and Shafique is trapped on the front leg. Redemption for SIIIIUUU!

Pakistan off to a flier!

Just the track Pakistan batters wanted for this game. A flat track, and they are off to a flying start. The Indian bowlers, especially Siraj has been too full and they have paid the price for it. Pakistan are 40/0.

Siraj taken to the cleaners

Poor bowling from Siraj! Has been too full and both Imam and Shafique have taken full advantage of it. Infact, Imam scored three boundaries off Siraj's first over.

All set for the live action!

The game is set to begin! It's Bumrah vs Abdullah Shafique to start the proceedings.

People have been questioning Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Yes, Pakistan choke under pressure while chasing, but we all saw what happened in the ENG-NZ opening contest. The pitch will get better as the game progress.

An interesting take from the Virat Kohli fan👇! The chasemaster against his favoruite opponent will be a great battle to watch out for.

India have opted to bowl first. Shubman Gill returns to the Playing XI, and what would be a better place than Ahmedabad for him to make a comeback? No more changes.

IND vs PAK - Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan (vc), Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Virat Kohli's record vs Pakistan

India's X Factor will be none other than Virat Kohli. The champion batter has a staggering record in ODIs against Pakistan, amassing 662 runs in 15 matches, including 3 centuries.

Team India have arrived in Ahmedabad! Live footage by OneCricket!

Sea of Blue in Ahmedabad! Expecting a cracker of a contest between two champion sides.

For the third time in a month and a half, India and Pakistan will face off in a 50-over game, another high-stakes contest – the first two were at the Asia Cup – with both the teams aiming to register their third consecutive victory at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. 

India start favorites, but Pakistan, who are yet to record a win against India in a World Cup game, can wrest the initiative with a positive and smart approach. 

With India, led by Rohit Sharma, ticking almost all boxes, can the ever mercurial Pakistan defy the odds and come out on top? 

Hello and welcome to Live Blog to the blockbuster game of the World Cup 2023 as the 1983 & 2011 Champions India meet the 1992 WC winners Pakistan at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.