India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in a gripping match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, achieving a historic triumph. India continued their longstanding domination over Pakistan in World Cup matches with this enthralling game that was certainly a spectacle.
The Indian team put up some amazing performances in the most recent match, while the Pakistani batting order encountered severe difficulties, drawing harsh criticism from former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif.
India and Pakistan have a well-known cricket rivalry that is marked by ferocious intensity and devoted fan support. Every match between these two countries is widely anticipated, but the 50-over World Cup is the pinnacle of International cricket which increases the stakes even more.
The Pakistani innings started out well, but as they ran across the organized Indian bowlers, they ran into trouble. The batting order faltered under the strain while being expected to show fortitude and elegance. Their total of 191 in the 43rd over was much below the standard for a World Cup match.
Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, two crucial players who frequently lead Pakistan’s batting, had a disappointing day. The Indian spinners, inspired by Kuldeep Yadav’s outstanding performance, made it extremely difficult for the Pakistani batsmen to find their rhythm. Kuldeep and Ravindra Jadeja, a spin duo, confounded the opponents with their extraordinary abilities.
India, on the other hand, demonstrated how to use restrained violence in its pursuit of the aim. The Indian squad showed unflinching resolve and confidence after losing the wickets of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Their strategy for the chase was a sharp contrast to Pakistan’s conservative batting display.
Rashid Latif, a former Pakistani cricketer, did not hold back in criticizing Pakistan’s performance. He lambasted the batters for overusing the sweep stroke against spin and labeled it as a sign of fear and cowardice while facing the bowlers.
“Fakhar is the only guy who can play the counterattacking shots but he was warming the bench. Pakistan’s current ODI template is old. They want to follow the old ODI template of saving wickets till 40 overs and then target the last ten,” as quoted by Indian Express.
“The game has changed; we are still stuck in the past. This team is not playing modern-day cricket. We don’t have specialists; there is no X factor in the playing XI. There is a lack of merit in selection as well,” he added.
He made a special mention of Kuldeep Yadav, highlighting that no Pakistani batsman was able to decipher his spin variations. Latif suggested that if Kuldeep wasn’t rested in the upcoming matches, his ability to baffle the Pakistan batsmen might lead to him becoming the tournament’s top wicket-taker.
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“Look at the way Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma play spin. Khuda ke liye (For god sake) use your feet, you have got two. One hit down the ground, Kuldeep and Jadeja would have easily given them five singles in one over. But instead, we were trying to sweep against them.”
“There were two close calls as well. Call me old school but in my opinion those batters who just sweep against spin in are cowards. They are playing sweep shots because they are scared of the bowlers. Against Kuldeep, we looked timid, we were trying to just play out his ten overs. Not a single Pakistan batsman was able to pick Kuldeep, and I think if he is not rested in a few matches, Kuldeep will end up being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.”
