India vs Pakistan, LIVE SCORE, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match Updates: Gosh! Finally the forceful and stretched formalities come to an end. The rain dragged the game till almost midnight in India but it is Virat Kohli’s men who end on the right side of the result. The World Cup scoreline now reads 7-0 between India and Pakistan.
A cricketing rivalry that transcends beyond the realms of 22 yards will be reignited when India and Pakistan square off in a World Cup encounter that could have fascinating sub-plots with Rain Gods threatening an anti-climactic twist.
The escalating cross-border tensions between the two neighbouring nations add to the intrigue with KL Rahul’s technique being tested by Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz’s skills finding more than a match in a colossus like Virat Kohli. Even if they feel that it’s just another game, perhaps all players in their hearts know that this is a special match even if at times the reason in purely non-cricketing. No wonder, Sachin Tendulkar urges Indian batsmen to be more aggressive against a skillful Amir unlike 2017 Champions Trophy while skipper Kohli speaks about having an “ideal mindset” even if the first-timers may find the “occasion intimidating”. The narrative of Indo-Pak duel is such that irrespective of whether it is a World Cup game or not, it creates heroes or villains for life in the eyes of fans. On the field, Amir’s first spell will certainly keep his team interested after a brilliant performance against Australia. Rahul and Rohit, both of whom have minimal footwork in the beginning of an innings, will try to be more assertive. Kohli has always enjoyed a fabulous track record against Pakistan, having scored a hundred in the 2015 game at Adelaide. A hundred is due and Indian captain’s sense of occasion makes him a big contender for a three-figure mark. It will be a test of temperament for the youngsters like Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who have hardly bowled to the world’s best batsman. The Old Trafford looks good for batting even though conditions will aid both seam and swing. India’s middle-order will have a role to play in the game. Dinesh Karthik’s experience was supposedly the choice of the team management in the last game but that was factoring in a curtailed game. In case of a full game, Vijay Shankar could be the No 4 if India wants a few overs of seam-up stuff from him or else stick to Karthik, who has more experience of pressure situations. The seaming conditions and Pakistan’s comfort against spinners might prompt Kohli to drop one among Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav and go for Mohammed Shami, who could be devastating in these conditions. Jasprit Bumrah will have a score to settle against Fakhar Zaman, bowling against whom, the last thing he would want is to overstep. Bhuvneshwar Kumar would like to bowl that probing off-stump line which can keep opposition best bet Babar Azam at bay. Full Squads: India Team Players: Rohit Sharma , Shikhar Dhawan (injured), Virat Kohli (c), Vijay Shankar , MS Dhoni (w), Kedar Jadhav , Hardik Pandya , Ravindra Jadeja , Mohammed Shami , Jasprit Bumrah , Bhuvneshwar Kumar , Lokesh Rahul , Dinesh Karthik , Kuldeep Yadav , Yuzvendra Chahal Pakistan Team Players: Imam-ul-Haq , Fakhar Zaman , Babar Azam , Mohammad Hafeez , Shoaib Malik , Sarfaraz Ahmed (w/c), Imad Wasim , Shadab Khan , Hasan Ali , Mohammad Amir , Wahab Riaz , Haris Sohail , Asif Ali , Shaheen Afridi , Mohammad Hasnain For all the latest news, opinions and analysis from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, click here With Agency inputs