India overcome arch-rivals
Friday, 5 June 2009
LONDON, Jun 4 (AFP): Brilliant batting from Rohit Sharma saw defending champions India to a crushing nine-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match at the Oval here Wednesday.
Sharma made 80 and shared a huge first-wicket stand of 140 with left-hander Gautam Gambhir (52 not out) that got India to the brink of their 159 target.
It needed a fine catch in the deep by Ahmed Shehzad off Mohammad Amir, one of seven bowlers used, to end Sharma's innings of 93 balls with two sixes and nine fours. But India still won with three overs to spare.
India, who lost to New Zealand by nine runs in their previous warm-up match, were again without star batsman Virender Sehwag because of a shoulder injury.
But such was Sharma's form, Sehwag was barely missed as Pakistan suffered a second heavy warm-up defeat after their 59-run loss to South Africa.
"It's always better to have a problem of plenty than have no-one who can fill the space," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said of the promotion of former No 3 Sharma.
"Rohit was always keen on opening, when Viru was injured. He has batted at No 3, even when he plays the quickest of bowlers he has got the time and the talent. Hopefully he'll get those runs throughout tournament, that will really help the middle order."
This match was a repeat of the 2007 final which India won by five runs. But here a capacity crowd had to be content with Indian excellence alone.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma led the India attack with one for 18 in three overs as they restricted Pakistan to 158 for six in 20 overs.
Sharma made 80 and shared a huge first-wicket stand of 140 with left-hander Gautam Gambhir (52 not out) that got India to the brink of their 159 target.
It needed a fine catch in the deep by Ahmed Shehzad off Mohammad Amir, one of seven bowlers used, to end Sharma's innings of 93 balls with two sixes and nine fours. But India still won with three overs to spare.
India, who lost to New Zealand by nine runs in their previous warm-up match, were again without star batsman Virender Sehwag because of a shoulder injury.
But such was Sharma's form, Sehwag was barely missed as Pakistan suffered a second heavy warm-up defeat after their 59-run loss to South Africa.
"It's always better to have a problem of plenty than have no-one who can fill the space," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said of the promotion of former No 3 Sharma.
"Rohit was always keen on opening, when Viru was injured. He has batted at No 3, even when he plays the quickest of bowlers he has got the time and the talent. Hopefully he'll get those runs throughout tournament, that will really help the middle order."
This match was a repeat of the 2007 final which India won by five runs. But here a capacity crowd had to be content with Indian excellence alone.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma led the India attack with one for 18 in three overs as they restricted Pakistan to 158 for six in 20 overs.